Our daughters have three weeks left of summer break before they return to school. Lexi will be going into Grade 5 and our youngest, Halle, will be going into Grade 1. They’ve been by our side all summer and, while it certainly made working from home “interesting”… it’s been a delight watching them grow and learn and become their own unique, quirky selves
But as the start of school looms on the horizon, we inevitably start to think about what the upcoming year holds in store. Which class will they be placed in? Will their teachers understand who they are and what they need? Will their teachers know what makes them worried? What makes them light up? What makes them laugh? My heart hurts a bit at the thought…
In the fall, parents must “share” their most treasured possessions with a host of adults; school teachers, dance teachers, coaches… and piano teachers. And the only thing that can make letting go easier is letting them go to someone who says, “I really care about your child – please tell me all about them.”
These thoughts of missing my own children were the impetus for the “Ten Questions About Your Child” email template that we’re sharing in today’s post. Not only does it communicate that you care, but it provides a valuable insight into your newbie student and establishes the expectation that success in piano lessons relies on a “triangle of support” between student, teacher, and parent.
The “Ten Questions About Your Child” Piano Studio Email
Please copy/paste this email and change any details to suit your studio’s needs. Sending it either right before or right after you meet a new student can provide you with valuable insights that can be used to adjust your teaching methods to suit your students’ individual needs.
Dear Sarah,
I am really looking forward to working with Matthew this year! As we begin lessons together, I wanted to send home a little questionnaire that will help me tailor my teaching to Matthew’s personality. As no one knows your child better than you, I’d really appreciate your valuable insights so that his piano lesson experience can be enjoyable and effective. Working as a parent/teacher team will help Matthew find success at the piano in the most supportive environment possible.
When you have a moment, could you reply with answers to the following questions? I’d be happy to discuss anything in depth with you over the phone if needed.
- What would you most like me to know about Matthew?
- What are some things that Matthew excels at?
- What other activities is Matthew involved in outside of school?
- Are there any learning difficulties that you’d like to share with me?
- What makes Matthew’s eyes “light up”?
- What causes Matthew to worry or be anxious?
- What does Matthew like (or dislike) about school?
- What do you foresee as being the biggest obstacle to regular practice at home?
- What would be the most useful thing that I could do to help you, as the “piano parent”?
- Is there anything else you’d like me to know about Matthew?
I can’t wait to get to know your family. Thank you in advance for the opportunity to teach Matthew. If, at any point in the year, there is anything you’d like me to know about Matthew, please feel free to get in touch. I will be checking in with you regularly to share his progress and to find out how home practice is coming along.
Take care,
Andrea
Another New Piano Parent Email
We have a second New Parent Email you’ll want to use as well. But before we get to that (after the book image below), we want to introduce you to a resource that should be in the music bag of every new student!
Andrea and Trevor Dow’s Timed Note Reading Tests For Piano, Book 1 contains 90 days of note reading exercises. Each exercise contains approximately 30 note reading questions; making it approachable (and not overwhelming!) for your young piano students and your teen beginners.
Click on the image below to learn more.
New Parent Email Part 2
The email template at the beginning of today’s post should be used with students who have already registered; but how should you respond to a lesson inquiry? In the post found here, we’ll help you craft the perfect response to a New Student Inquiry.
We hope you can put these two email templates to good use!
One of the most important questions that I ask of my parents is, “Do YOU have any musical background?” If they do have some knowledge, they can be your biggest cheerleader at home for practicing! If not, I spend more time teaching my students (and their parents) how to practice effectively at home.
Hi Andrea – this is a great additional question! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I like to ask parents what their piano goals are. Some parents indicate that their child is good at most things and needs a challenge. Other parents indicate that they simply want their child to enjoy the experience and don’t want to add more pressure to their busy schedule . This helps me to customize the lessons to achieve the parents’ goal.
Very true, Robin! Great question – thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you! Such a good idea. Fall piano begins TODAY! I have just enough time to whip this out. Blessings!
Hi Patsy – perfect! Happy first day of lessons 🙂
As always you guys are great, timely and right on target. I use all of these but I love your wording better! I also enquire about the type of music, movies and TV shows they are exposed to and their favorite songs and shows as well.
Thanks for all that you guys do!
Hi Barbara – great additional questions 🙂 Thanks for reading our blog!
Just sent out my first one of these! Thanks for this great template, Andrea!
Awesome! You’re most welcome, Torey 🙂
Do you send this questionnaire only to new students?
Or do you use a different template to also inquire about returning students at the start of each year? And how do you find the time to read all your responses amidst your busy teaching and blogging and creating schedule!!!!
Hi Amy – yes, to new students only. Students I’ve had for awhile I usually know the answers to these questions already (or we have a good working relationship already built and I can simply ask them) 🙂
I find the suggestions are tastefully presented to the parents. I so agree with the point about getting the parents on board at the beginning of a relationship with the student. As a teacher myself, I always want to show the parents that I am approachable.
Every new year is like a new beginning with the students, as they are growing and maturing with age. What was the answer to last years question might be totally different for the upcoming year.
Fellow teachers, this will be a year of challenge due to corona virus. We will need to be more sensitive to what the children are facing with everything going virtual. I am getting my students to write me a poem about their likes and dislikes of that. They are stressed and we can give the students a voice about their inner stress, fears and the positive side also. I then plan to read their poems and work with them on writing the musical side of it with rhythm and dynamics. Maybe even create a melody to it.
I want to give them an outlet to be heard. After all, they have been put in the position of great change and as children we sometimes forget to let them share their inner fears and stresses.
Blessings to each of you for a peaceful, stress free year, full of joy year.