Practice Tips for Suzuki Parents
● Set a consistent practice time and length.
● Always devote your full attention to your child during practice. Show them that this interests you and is worthwhile to you.
● Keep in mind how difficult it is for them to do these things. Recognize and congratulate every step forward, however small, but do so honestly—they can tell.
● Never enter into conflict with your child. While it may seem harsh to do so, it is best to stop the lesson and put the instrument away before any verbal argument gets out of hand.
● When they are upset, it’s usually one of two things: 1) they feel they’re being treated unfairly, or more importantly 2) they feel that they’re not being respected. Remember that, as children, they spend quite a lot of time not being respected as people. They get flattery a lot, but respect is scarce. When they want it, they look to you first.
● As the parent, you are the most important person in the entire universe to your child. This should affect everything you say to them during practice.
● Repetition, and consistency of repetition, are the machine we use to build.
● Ask your teacher questions. Your understanding of the material will help theirs when they ask the inevitable “Why?”
● Stop the practice just before their ability to concentrate runs out.
● Bring in any toys, stuffed animals, etc. that they play with in their daily lives. Not only does this immediately grab their attention, but it helps attach practicing to a sense of normalcy.
● Avoid practicing for “rewards,” however intangible they might be. While I do use stickers, I never use them for more than a few months, and I never let the practicing be “for” the stickers. The music should always be the final goal.
● I heard Ed Sprunger tell a story about a dog that was chained up in a tiny little fenced area that was much too small for him. The dog would yammer and yell all day, to no avail. Then, for one hour, his owner would let him run around outside. The dog would run as fast as he could from one end of the yard to the other for the full hour. Ed believes that this is what life is like for a six-year-old when school is over each day.