I tweeted yesterday about a conversation I had had yesterday with a 7 year old piano student. It went something like this…
Me: “So, does that sound like a good plan?” (referring to what I would be looking for in his current piece to be considered complete)
Student: “Sorry, I didn’t hear. I was taking an opened-eyed nap like Dolphins do.”
He caught me off guard (he certainly didn’t appear to have been napping!) but, as he so cleverly pointed out, Dolphins do sleep with one eye open! I filed this comment away in my mental bank of hilarious things piano kids say, but I also filed this comment into my “take note” mental bank.
Here’s why.
Piano Teaching Tips From the Mouth of Babes
The idiom “out of the mouths of babes” means that young children often have insights that can be remarkable and surprising. This was certainly the case with my young student.
I needed to take note of what his comment was telling me. I was boring him… it was time to change focus. And while not all piano kids have such an eloquent way of letting you know their needs, most children do give you clues and hints that are often mistaken as misbehavior. But what do those clues mean exactly…
The Piano Teachers Guide To Student Misbehavior
We’ve written a collection of posts to help teachers deal with difficult behaviors. So, if you have a piano students who is…
1. In conflict with a piano-playing sibling, click here.
2. Defiant, stubborn, or challenging, read this.
3. More interested in bulldozers and trains, check this out.
4. A frustrated perfectionist, this will be useful.
5. Refusing to practice, you need to read this.
6. Would rather be playing guitar, this might be your solution.
7. Missing a lot of lessons, this could rejuvenate her interest.
8. Wiggly, learn more about a boy I call Anthony.
9. Over-scheduled, check this out.
Some of the most important piano teaching lessons can be learned simply by allowing your teaching practices to adjust and adapt to what your students are telling you (verbally or otherwise).
While the adjustments and flexibility in teaching methods may not always be your own personal preference, you will be meeting the needs of your clients in an efficient and effective way. Listen to the meaning behind their words or actions and learn some pretty powerful piano teaching lessons.
Jeannie says
Your ideas and tips are always wonderful and welcomed! This spring ALL of my 7 thru 11 year olds are doing Muttzart and Ratman. I’ve added some theory games but with “end of the school year” activites, no homework except to perfect their composition has worked well for me this year. My parents love it and I love it. I do not have kids saying, “Oh, I don’t like this song”. They cannot complain because they are the one writing the song! My students love being creative. For the spring recital, each one of these students gets to pick the composition they like best. Saves a lot of headaches on my part! Parents love it because they are not having to “harp” on the kids to practice or to prepare for the recital.
Andrea says
Hi Jeannie – we’re so happy that “The Adventures of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff” has taken off so well in your studio And kudos to you for committing to giving your students such a useful creative outlet! Composing solves so many of the “regular” piano student problems as you mention. What fun and stress-free recital that will be! 🙂 Thanks so very much for sharing!
For others who are looking to lean how to teach your students to compose – more info is here https://www.teachpianotoday.com/composing-with-kids/
Orlia says
Such wonderful suggestions and ideas! Any insights for “Chatty Cathy” who won’t stop talking about anything and everything?
Andrea says
Actually… yes! We wrote a blog post titled “How to Teach Piano to Chatty Cathy” awhile ago. The link to it is here https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2012/04/09/how-to-teach-piano-to-chatty-cathy/ Enjoy 🙂