How Much Time before Refusing to Teach
Found in: Claiming Territory, Student Management
Terri D., North Carolina
I have a new sibling group of two consisting of 6 & 7 year old boys. They have had 2 lessons and they are Russian. The 6 year old has been totally uncooperative both lessons to the point of my wanting to refuse to teach him any longer. The mother doesn’t seem to be bothered by his attitude and she even told me today that he doesn’t want to play the piano. He played the 1st and 2nd sentence of Dreams but would not attempt to learn the LH. Just laid his head on the keyboard! How much longer would you teach this boy before refusing to teach him any longer. I’m ready now!
Beth S., Tennessee
I think the last three words of your email give the answer!
Donny L., Ohio
Of course you could look at the Parents and say “I have the best job in the world!! I can sit here and get paid while I watch your child sleep on my piano.” I think I’ll take a nap with him. They have the problem not you. Soon it may dawn on them as you mirror back the behavior while getting paid for it. They’ll have to eventually make the decision.
Winnie B., Colorado
In my experience, children of 4-5-6 are sometimes not mature enough to add in the left hand right away. Two times I have asked the parents not to force the issue, but to continue playing duet style with the child alternating Right and Left hand with the parent playing the other part. Two times there had been a light go on at some point, and the child has chosen to play hands together spontaneously, apparently when his brain figured out how to do it. Both were younger siblings. Both overcame their reticence to play, apparently when they were actually able to figure out how to do it. That’s all I can say. I’m sure it doesn’t apply to everyone! But I thought you might enjoy the story.
Kathy K., Texas
It sounds like he is claiming territory. And if you allow him to continue, he certainly will. I don’t know if you have listened to the teacher training on “telling the truth to children” recently, but Neil’s suggestions in there might help. You might want to actually call him on the phone and talk with him about it (with love of course). He will probably be somewhat mortified at being called out in such a personal way, but telling him that you just can’t teach him if he acts like that and then getting him to give his word that he will behave better may turn him into an entirely different student. And of course to get that territory back, you have to be willing to lose him.