Combining Children and Adults in a Class
Found in: Adult Students, Scheduling, Shared Lessons
Susan F., California
I have a 10-year-old in Level 1 who just lost her partner. She is fairly mature for her age and proceeds at an average pace. Unfortunately at this point the only other Level 1 class available for her to join is an adult class of two.
Any thoughts or experience on pairing a 10-year-old with adults?
Kerry V., Australia
I have placed adults and children together for years. The only thing I do with this is ask each if they mind and explain how it has worked in the past, before I put them together.
Currently I have an adult in his early 30s with a 10-year-old. I asked him tonight his thoughts on this and he said that the child’s age has absolutely nothing to do with his learning. He wants to have lessons and if it is with a 10-year-old that’s fine by him. The 10-year-old has been marvelous all the way through and this has helped her learn to articulate to the adult when I ask her to show him something. It has helped these two tremendously as he is an anxious type of fellow wanting to make the playing right and she is a very shy, quiet little thing. She comes running in each week with a huge smile on her face and can’t wait for the lesson. Her father attends the lessons and they are all extremely happy with the progress. Yes, she is faster at picking up the playing but she has had to learn to slow down and the “what” she is playing. He has had to learn to play more and get the song together. They are actually complementing each other and learning so much from each other.