“The new year means nothing if you’re still in love with your comfort zone”. I came across this quote the other day on Instagram and I LOVED it. It’s so true. Making resolutions and setting goals are pointless activities if you don’t truly believe that you have things to change.
But, it’s a difficult task for adults to dig deep and truly identify the changes that need to be made… so how can we expect children to do the same?
New Year’s Resolutions… Piano Kid Style
Because squeezing resolutions out of kids can be a task… it’s nice to balance goal setting with some warm fuzzy reflection on what is already going well. And, because kids also need a tangible and easy way of both reflecting on past accomplishments and setting future goals… you’re going to need our Goal Setting Game!
Step 1: Game Play
- Print and cut out the Goal Setting Game Card Set (we’ve included a blank set if you’d prefer to make your own)
- Place the cards face down on a flat surface in front of your piano student.
- Play a game of “memory” (turn two cards over at once until a match is found)
- Your student will be making two piles of matched cards; one for “I do this well already.” and one for “I want to work on this.”
- Once a match is found, ask your piano student to evaluate what’s on the card. Is this something he already does well, or is this something he acknowledges that he needs to work on? He places the matched cards in the appropriate pile.
- Have your student continue until all matches have been found and placed in either of the two piles.
Step 2: Self-Reflection and Goal Setting
Turn your attention to the “I do this well already” pile first. Discuss each card and acknowledge the strengths your piano student has chosen for himself, drawing on real examples to illustrate each one. For example “I always enjoy hearing the attention you pay to your dynamics. What piece do you remember as being one where you really paid close attention to this?”
Once you’ve completed the positive self-reflection part of this activity, it’s time to turn your attention to goal setting. Sort through the “I’d like to work on this” pile. Together, choose three of the cards that you think would be most beneficial. Discuss how the two of you will focus on these in the coming months.
Step 3: Now… Document It!
Goal setting is one thing, but holding yourself accountable for the goals you have made is even more powerful.
Have your piano student hold the three goal cards that you’ve chosen together and snap a quick photo. You can then print out the photos and display them in your studio or simply slip them into your student’s piano binder as a continued reminder of this coming term’s goals. It holds both of you accountable for the goals you’ve chosen.
N says
My goals for 2016:
1. Plan weekly lessons with year end goal in mind. (Thanks for the inspiration, Sharon Hale)
2. Effective time management: in lesson, in planning, and in personal improvement.
Thanks for all the wonderful resources, Andrea and Trevor!
Morgan says
My piano teaching resolutions are:
1. Incorporate more music composition into my teaching because I know that students take pride in music that they create!
2. Brainstorm new ways to teach different musical concepts, and be more creative in general
Kelly Koch says
Oooooh I have a love/hate relationship with January…I’m a Hope Junkie for sure. My goals:
1. Metronome friendship with my students
2. Summer Piano Camp
3. Use morePiano Book Club pieces (especially Vamp Battles)
Julia Andrews says
Happy new year everyone!
So much fun stuff to explore and develop in 2016, but the first two things I’m going to tackle are:
1. start teaching Wunderkeys
2. trial a parent participation lesson
Charlotte Hughes says
• Plan and prepare a Summer Music Camp, and
• Plan to practice more myself!
Laura says
Happy New Year! My piano teacher resolutions are
1. Duets, Trios, maybe even a Quartet or Double Duo.
2. Use the piano games I have in an organized way to enhance learning and prepare for new concepts.
teri barnaby says
I would like to incorporate more ear training in my lessons.
Sue says
My 2016 goal will be …
to enjoy each and every student and encourage their music growth by using all of the wonderful resources that I have collected. It really is a great time to be a music teacher!
Diane U says
Resolutions for 2016:
Have more students play duets with each other.
Have students better prepared for recitals.
Encourage students to learn more different musical styles.
Kara says
My resolution is to build up a music library to encourage my students to get excited about what they’re playing! And to strive to use better time management in the lessons.
Judy K says
Prepare lesson plans for each student with goals for the remainder of the year.
Plan for rewards when they reach their goals.
Incorporate these awesome games more often.
Reconfigure the studio space better with bulletin board, space to play games, away from personal living space more.
Angela says
Fun! Of course, I’m squeaking in here at the last moment! LOTS of 2016 goals!
1. Work on my MTNA Certification, thus becoming a more professional teacher and studio.
2. Monthly group lessons.
3. Prepare students for AIM (Achievement in Music) exams and NFMC Solo Federation.
4. Late spring duet recital after AIM and Federation are done!!
5. Fun summer camps including composition.
6. Have fun and learn lots in the journey!!
Kristin Humbard says
My goal is to finish my NCTM! I was planning to do it last year, but a surprise pregnancy delayed me and I was granted an extension to this year. Now my sweet little 6-month old boy and I are working on the projects in the morning before teaching time!
Keera says
My goal is to find out how to participate in festival and have a recital.
Olivia Adams says
My teaching new years resolution is to do more composition activities with my students. I plan on doing things with the students every week and then having them perform their works at a composition recital and then have a make your own sundae bar.
Andrea says
Lovely resolution Olivia! Sounds like great fun 🙂
Caroline P says
Wow, goal-setting is a new one for me but tried it out last semester with students and it worked very well! This is a fun way to inspire some ideas. Thank you!!
Andrea says
We’re so glad! By teaching your students how to set goals, you’re doing them SO many favors in other areas of their life too – not just piano! 🙂