In today’s post I’m going to outline some fantastic strategies for teaching piano students with learning challenges. But can I tell you a secret? These strategies should be used with each and every piano student you teach.
You see, the strategies that work best for students with learning challenges are simply best practice strategies that will benefit all students. Every child you teach falls somewhere on the “learning challenge spectrum”. And while many of your students probably hum along just fine, that doesn’t mean they won’t benefit from an added dose of piano teaching awesomeness.
And now for the really great part! On the learning challenge spectrum you’ll have piano students who are clearly struggling, piano students who struggle in silence, and piano students who rarely struggle. Teachers who have students who clearly stuggle regularly adapt their teaching style to help these students along. But the students who struggle in silence are more difficult to pick out because they are quiet and capable… enough. It is these students who blossom when you implement best practice strategies.
Best Practice Piano Strategies For ALL Students
1. Visual Lesson Structure
You can get really fancy with your visual lesson plan, but to implement it in its simplest form grab a whiteboard and write down each and every activity that you’ll be working on that day. As you and your student work your way through a 30 or 45 minute lesson be sure to cross out activities that have been completed.
Visual calendars are motivating for all kids. They feel comfortable when they are made aware of the day’s tasks. If you have something particularly fun or novel on the calendar, your piano students will be motivated to get through their warm-ups or scales and on to the “good stuff”.
2. Ditch the Distraction
Try to keep visual stimuli to a minimum. Does the position of your piano mean your students have a great view of the outdoors? If so, this can be problematic for children on both ends of the learning challenge spectrum. Even as I write this paragraph, I’m distracted by the neighbours dog who is attempting to do his business on my front lawn (hold on a moment… I’ll be back).
3. Butts Off the Bench
Kids need to move. And unless you have a really cushy bench, piano kids really need to move. We’ve included this point in many prior posts but we simply can’t stress enough that sitting for 30 to 45 minutes straight is impossible for most young children. There are many piano activities that can be performed away from the piano… so get off the bench and have some fun.
4. Dabble in Down Time
You only see your students once a week so the idea of having downtime in a lesson might seem utterly ridiculous. But don’t write this idea off just yet. Try scheduling just a minute or two of downtime in the middle of each lesson; a bit of a “brain break” so to speak. For maximum benefit, let the “brain break” serve a purpose. Consider putting on a one-piece mini-concert for your students. Your kids will love to see you in your element. They might also learn something simply from watching you play.
5. Consistency is King
Piano teachers naturally want to be exciting and spontaneous. But that doesn’t mean every lesson needs to be a series of surprises. Piano kids thrive on consistency, and like knowing what to expect from their piano lessons.
So now you’re probably thinking… but wait… you guys have built an entire blog on piano teaching resources that surprise and excite, what gives? It’s simple really… build surprises into your consistent framework. Our piano students know that every 3rd week of the month is game week but that doesn’t mean they know what the game is. Our students also know that every two months marks the start of a new practice incentive but they don’t know what that incentive is (hence… the excitement builds.)
Your lesson structure should be consistent but what happens within that framework should be an absolute blast!
The Teach Piano Today “How To” Series
The above 5 strategies are a great start to helping not just children with learning challenges, but all children. If you’re looking for strategies to help you deal with very specific personalities in your piano studio you’ll definitely want to check out our “How To” series.
Jennifer-Anne says
Hi,
I have a 13 year old boy who has learning difficulties. We have been working on learning the notes in middle c position since he started lessons 14 months ago. I have tried games on and off the bench, flash cards, learning strategies such as memorizing where treble g and bass f are etc. His mother says he is on medication for ADD an he hardly ever speaks. He is the one who wanted lessons so I know he wants to be at lessons. I have purchased your theory games book ( and a few others 🙂 but he is really not ready for most of it since he still has difficulty remembering which hand to play with for bass/treble. Verbally he knows the names bass and treble clef and can explain what they mean but he constantly forgets which hand to use. He has very low muscle tone and is extremely small for his age. Any thoughts on more learning ideas that will not make him feel like a baby are welcomed. Thanks!
Donal says
Hey Jennifer-Anne,
Regarding hands, I just wondered if he knows where high and low is on the piano? If so, it might be easier than left and right. I’ve had similar issues with some young students who don’t quite know left and right yet, so I switched to talking about high and low on the stave and which hand is closer to the low/high notes on piano etc. Seems to be helping making it easier for them to connect the grand staff to pitch on the piano.
Good luck with it.
Karen says
I love this post. You are absolutely right that all students benefit from educational best practices. I love the idea of using the white board to write down the lesson plan.
Alex says
My office mate is an ADHD consultant/coach, and this is totally inline with what she tells her clients. Especially #3, motion can be really key for some kids.
Thanks for writing this.
Anna says
Thank you so much! These will be fun to implement in my next day of lessons. I appreciate the reminder that the ‘silent strugglers’ will really blossom with best practices.
Thomas Johnson says
I agree that a white board is one of the most useful ways to keep lessons focused–both for the student’s sake and mine!
I tend to get excited about my away-from-the-piano activities and jump into them too seen! I need to remind myself to wait until my student is just beginning to get antsy on the bench and then we can quickly change gears.
Thanks for all the work you put into this blog!