If there was ever a TeachPianoToday podcast that you should share… it’s this one. Today we’re speaking with the brilliant Dr. Christopher Fisher, Associate Professor of piano at Ohio University, and we’re talking about effective parental involvement in piano education.
Scroll to the bottom of this post to listen now.
Listen in as Dr. Fisher shares his absolute expertise on the astounding benefits enjoyed by children who have actively-involved parents, how to engage, educate and encourage piano parents to be an effective and active participant in their child’s piano lessons and why fun and hard-work don’t have to be enemies.
We also discuss his take on over-scheduled piano students and why it is preventing children from reaching excellence, why allowing children to make the decision of whether or not they quit piano lessons is damaging, and how and when to use praise for the best results (you may be surprised by this research).
There is no doubt that you have observed the trends Dr. Fisher discusses… and you’ve likely wondered if there is anything you can do about it. I know you’ll be standing with your arms in the air shouting “hallelujah!” as you listen to Dr. Fisher’s words!
Show Notes:
The resources that were mentioned in the podcast can be found at the links below.
The Secret Weapon Great Pianists Share
The Child as Musician by Dr. Gary McPherson (Oxford University Press, 2006)
“Parental and Personality Factors That Predict Students’ Length of Piano Study”, Dr. Theresa Camilli, (University of Oklahoma, 2010)
Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Teaching Piano in Groups by Dr. Christopher Fisher
Dr. Christopher Fisher’s website
Taking The First Steps Towards Change
I was so inspired by Dr. Fisher’s words; as I know you will be too after listening. So what can we do first? Follow his suggestion of the “3 E’s”; Engage, Educate and Encourage. Consider hosting “Piano Parent Training Workshops” as do Dr. Fisher and his wife, make your attention to piano parent education just as important as piano student education and spend lots of time encouraging your piano parents to continue their commitment to helping their child in the most effective ways.
Dr. Fisher mentioned how much he likes the activities in our book “Shhh…Your Piano Teacher Thinks This is Practice”. If you’re looking for inventive ways of helping parents to be active participants in home practice, be sure to check it (and it’s theory companion) out to get an easy start on positive change in your piano teaching studio.
Thank you for providing this podcast with Dr. Fisher. It was a special opportunity to hear his insights. We all share these challenges with today’s students.
Thank you, this was so inspiring! After hearing it, I’m going to gather some materials from these resources, including your site, and invite all my parents to come and discuss how to be a better piano parent. I plan to announce it at my recital (after I again tell them how they are truly a secret weapon to their child’s success) and have a sign-up for a get together in the summer. I don’t pretend to be an expert at it, but I think even having time to brainstorm ways to encourage consistent, quality practice at home would be beneficial to them. I think a lot of parents feel like they simply can’t help, then add to it the cultural desire to have kids in way too many activities. Piano lessons turn into just another activity that gets checked off the list and when it gets tough, well the next activity awaits.
I look forward to your weekly emails, and am indebted to you for making me a better teacher!
Thank you! So glad I took 33 minutes out of my Sunday afternoon to listen to this. This validates many things I’ve been trying to install and educate at my studio and to my piano families. It also gave me things to think more in-depth about, especially about how to give praises that are pedagogically effective and strategic. I will be passing this link to all my pain parents.
Oops, *piano parents* Haha, can you please edit that for me?