| 1. PLEASE BE ON TIME for
the class. This means arriving 5 minutes early. I am unable
to extend lesson times or start class late due to tardiness.
Please wait outside in good weather and be seated quietly
while I finish with the previous class. In the winter
it is best to wait in the car if you are very early and
come to the entrance a couple of minutes before class
starting time. 10.00 classes please wait outside gates until the gates are opened.
2. SHOES The removal
of shoes should happen just before entering the room,
that is up by the door so children do not walk in dirt
with bare feet or socks. Please do not knock, door will open at the lesson time. Parents please make sure
children stay away from front door until it is time
to enter and make sure children have clean feet
before entering the music room.
3. CLOTHING Wear comfortable
clothing that you can breathe and move in. There is quite a bit of movement in class.
4. PARENT EXPECTATIONS
Parents you are expected to do the class with your child.
(children from 3-4 and up may be fine with you sitting
and watching and taking notes). The progress of your child is more
noticeable if you can duplicate at home as much as possible
what was done in the lesson. Please do not use this
time for reading or talking on the phone.
5. MOBILE PHONES Please
switch off the ring tone of your mobile phone while
you are in the music room.
6. IMPROVEMENT TIME Use the words ‘improvement time’
instead of practice. There is an obvious positive feel
about them rather than the laboured sound of ‘practice’!
As children get older they are able to understand that
we can make things sound better and this is done by
repetition, repetition repetition! So sing, clap, beat,
tap and rhyme often.
7. LISTENING - The
biggest component of the Suzuki approach is the listening.
Children learn music just like they learn to speak,
by hearing and then imitating. Put the main Suzuki CD
on every day and learn the songs by heart. The extra
songs CD is for enrichment and fun. We will always come
back to the main Suzuki CD and ‘Yellow Book 1’.
8. PARENTS IN LESSONS Please
remember to leave all instructions to me in the class
and refrain from repeating my instructions after me.
The children get very confused when they hear two or
more people speaking to them and giving them orders
and they tend to 'short-circuit' rather than absorb.
When you are at home you will be the teacher but in
class I am the only teacher. You will help by physically
guiding them into the places they need to be and actions
they need to do.
9. BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS If
your child is having a ‘bad day’ or ‘moment’
it is best to remove him or her from the class immediately.
Do this the first time it happens if possible so they
learn that this behaviour is not to be repeated in the
class. Sometimes just taking them outside for a few
moments does the trick. However, other days they will
just be having a ‘bad day’ and nothing seems
to work except some food, a hug and a nap! Never berate
your child in the lesson for not singing. Always use
positive words and encourage them by showing a good
example yourself. Sometimes it looks like nothing is
going in but be assured that it is. The Suzuki approach
works best when the child is allowed to express him/herself
when he/she feels ready. Sometimes this takes a very
long time and we just have to be patient. We never coerce
them into singing. What we do is provide the environment
for them to learn in with love.
10. WHEN LEAVING Please
be considerate to neighbours and leave the class quietly. |
