Supporting busy students
Found in: Teen Students
Kym N., California
How would you support your students if they have been good students (Level 11) but then their home practice time got bumped by their school work and their commitment to school activities, and they are still committed to piano lessons?
This is a group formed by two sisters (high school and middle school). The younger sister, who can definitely do very well if she practices, is usually the one who drags down the progress. And of course the older sister is more affected by the school-related requirements.
Maureen K., California
If the group members are in the same boat like these sisters, I scale back what I expect, strategize with the kids and coach on how they could get at least a few minutes a day of practice, and focus mostly on keeping the playlist alive while inching forward on a project. Help them realize the situation will change.
Probably some other teachers require keeping up the regular pace and encourage families to quit if they can’t devote the proper time. But as one who had periods of time as a kid when I didn’t practice and still ended up a musician, I like to keep kids going through times like this.
Robin Keehn, Washington
I think it’s very important to reengage the parents at this point. Sometimes they are present but they’ve been so used to the flow that they are surprised when this happens. I had it happen with a girl named Waverly a few years ago. She was a sophomore in high school and in Level 12 or so. She hadn’t kept up and her mom was so surprised! Her mom leaned forward and said to her daughter, “Waverly, we agreed that this is a priority for you. Why didn’t you tell me that it was hard to stay on top of it? I want to protect your practice time so that you can keep going”. It was a beautiful moment. Mom took the initiative to reengage and connect back to the commitment they’d made together.
Sometimes I think that teens need MORE support than little kids. Piano doesn’t pay money and piano doesn’t get a grade, so it can get bumped to a lower priority. It takes a dedicated parent to keep it going and to protect practice time. Be flexible and keep going. They just need your encouragement.