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You're now the Home Teacher.... Sound scary?
What do I mean when I, or other music teachers, refer to you as your child's
'Home Teacher?'
Is it something to be scared of? or is it something pretty achievable and cool?
Simply put, the 'Home Teacher' has a desire to have their child learn music and a commitment to taking an active role in directing the student when the Music Teacher isn't present.
A nice explanation is by the SuzukiAssociation.org. "Picture a ‘triangle’: parent, teacher and student. Parents are involved in the musical learning of their child just as when a child learns to talk. Parents attend lessons with the child and serve as “home teachers and practice partners” during the week."
Here's a visual:
If all you wanted was the basic explanation and to view my amazing graphic... then you're all good to go!
Byeeee!
If you want more info however, I've made a detailed checklist to make sure you're doing everything possible, even above and beyond the basics.... read on ;)
Eight Focus Points for the Home Music Teacher
1. **Establish Routine:** Create a regular practice schedule that fits your child's routine and commitments. Life pops up, but if there is a method underneath the madness it will make things easier for you and your child's brain.
2. **Provide Encouragement:** Offer positive reinforcement and praise for their efforts and progress. Make a big glorious celebration out of the beautiful little glimmers!
3. **Communication:** Stay in touch with your music teacher to understand goals and areas needing focus. They can give you detailed steps, or perhaps a perspective that can help with your practice!
4. **Create a Nurturing Musical Space:** THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!! Set up a dedicated practice area with everything within an arms reach. Instruments, games, props, stickers, candles, essential oil, sheet music, etc.
5. **Break Tasks Down:** Help your child target small building blocks during each practice session. Don't overwhelm yourself or your child by focusing on too large of points from your lesson.
6. **Create and Celebrate Milestones:** Recognize achievements and milestones to boost the music motivation! Can you have a way of regularly checking up on progress? Whether that's looking at older videos of practices/pieces, printing out old pictures together and posting them on the wall of your practice space, or having an active way of tracking your musical efforts (sticker trackers/coloring pages/goal maps) think creatively to find ways for motivation outside of just the completion of a piece or a more external validation.
7. **Be Patient:** Understand that progress takes time; avoid pressuring yourself or your child too much. Music is a beautiful lifelong journey! The goal isn't to reach the end, but to enjoy the ride :)
8. **Explore Together:** Discover new music styles, artists, and techniques together to keep learning engaging.
>REMEMBER<
your main goal is to help your child love music! As long as you can keep that goal going on a roughly regular basis you've already succeeded :) So don't worry so much, you're doing great momma <3
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