6- DO NOT COMPARE YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS WITH THAT OF ANOTHER STUDENT.

Do not compare your child’s progress with that of another student, or sibling and do not discuss your child’s problems in front of him. Fin time when he/she is out of the room temporarily or call your teacher on the phone. Much thoughts and care have gone into our orientation program in order to help and ensure each child success in this wonderful music adventure.

7- OVER AND OVER “ONE POINT PER LESSON”

Dr S. Suzuki over and over in his books that only “one point per lesson’ should be taught. Don’t worry if your teacher is working on piano sound or tone and he gets the rhythm wrong, or something else doesn’t go quite right. The teacher knows, but she wants to fix one thing at the time. Relax and enjoy the lesson and sharing the feeling of achievement with your child.

8 - TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ AND HAVE RESPECT FOR THE TEACHER

All teachers deserve respect. Saying ‘thank you’ at the end of each lesson, acknowledges to the teacher that you express gratitude for the music knowledge passed and shows courtesy. Payment for lessons does not entitle individuals to display any form of disrespect. Many children begin and/or leave the music lessons without greeting the teacher. This goes against the Suzuki method culture that requires the children to adopt, develop and master its discipline. Of course this is not referencing the shyness expressed by children when start lessons for the first couple of times as this is normal and expected. However, as lessons develop, a curtest greeting and gratitude is expected at each lesson attended. Thank you to those that gave so many ‘thank you’s after leaving each lesson. It made up for those few that regretfully had no words of gratitude. Also, thank you to those students who expressed enthusiasm and eagerness; especially to those who had their noses pressed against the window waiting for of me to arrive at their homes prior to the scheduled time of the lesson.

9- PLEASE DO NOT HELP DURING LESSONS

One more important point – it is difficult for parents to act as ‘home teachers’ and then come to lessons and sit quite and passively without trying to ‘help our’. ‘ Please do not help’ Children are super sensitive to their parents’ reactions and sometimes they will focus on the parent more than the teacher during the lesson. So, no comment, groans, tisks, giggles, or excuses please.

10- - SELF – CONFIDENCE AND A HEALTHY SELF –IMAGE

Remember, Suzuki music teachers primary aim isn’t to produce only concert musicians, although that sometimes happens. Suzuki music teachers are to encourage children to develop sensitivity, self-respect, self-confidence and a healthy self –image. Thank you Esther Reinders NOTE: With thanks to Susan Kempter and Edward Kreitmnan and Christine Magaziner.