commitment

I have run three FIS’s over the past week, and have encountered a number of potential parents who use the phrase “we want to give it a go”. Now, I know this is a phrase we don’t like to hear necessarily – as “giving it…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• 4-song workshop, commit, commitment, commitment to lessons, give it a go, giving it a go, Long Term Relationship, long term relationships, long-term, long-term relationship conversation, LTR, LTR graph, relationship, relationship conversation, relationship graph, sample lessons, sampling lessons, sticking with piano long term, teaching workshops, trail before committing, trial lesson, trial period, try it out, trying it out, trying lessons, workshop, workshop SHMs, Workshops

Sharing a requirement-based success story. I had a family recently whose two children never practiced consistently since they started. I told parents and children consistently the past week before spring break and week following that it wasn’t a problem, but that it wasn’t going to…

• Last updated 5 years ago
• alignment with coaches, angry parent, at home practice, busy coaches, claiming territory, coach, coach at lessons, coach not coaching, coach responsibility, coaches, coaching, coaching parents, commit, commitment, commitment to lessons, communicating with parents, communication, communication with parents, confidence as a coach, confidence as a teacher, dealing with parents, distracted coach, encouraging practice, frustrated parents, holding coaches accountable, importance of life coach, lack of practice, Laurie Richards, lesson requirements, life coach, life coach roles, life coaches, managing coaches, managing practice, managing practice time, monitor practice, not practicing, parent, parent concerns, parent involvement, parent role, parent struggles, parent support, parental expectations, parental involvement, parental participation, parental responsibility, parents, parents attending lessons, poor practice, practice, practice guidelines, practice habits, practice time, practicing, practicing guidelines, problem parent, relationship with coach, request vs requirement, requirement, requirement based studio, requirement versus request, requirement-based, requirements, requirements in lessons, role of parent, selective coaching, student not practicing, studio policies, teaching parents, unhappy parent, unsupportive parent, working with parents, working with parents on how to practice

Has anyone heard of school teachers saying children should use their own ‘internal motivation’ rather than pushing them to do something? We were discussing reward for completing tasks. Poor Mum is confused, I am telling her she needs to guide her children, manage their activities and…

• Last updated 5 years ago
• claiming territory, coach, coach responsibility, commitment, commitment to lessons, discipline, encouragement, encouraging parents, encouraging practice, encouraging students, enjoying the process, external rewards, extrinsic rewards, holding coaches accountable, holding students accountable, intrinsic rewards, Long Term Relationship, long term relationships, long-term relationship conversation, LTR, managing practice, motivation, parent support, parental responsibility, practice, practice habits, practicing, practicing guidelines, quitting, relationship, relationship conversation, relationship with coach, relationships, requirement, requirements, responsibility, rewards, student interests, student rewards, unmotivated, unmotivated students, unsupportive parent, want to quit

I’d love to get feedback on how you handle absences from students who are ill. I offer make-up lessons or even extended lessons to “make up” the time. Also, what about adults or youth who are so involved in other activities that they aren’t always…

• Last updated 5 years ago
• absences, absences in group lessons, activities, adult students, busy coaches, busy families, busy students, busy teenagers, busy teens, catching up after absence, commitment, commitment to lessons, communication, extended lessons, extending lessons, group lessons, illness, make up lessons, make-ups, makeup, makeup lessons, makeup sessions, makeups, missed lessons, over committed families, policies on makeup lessons, requirements, sick students, student absences in shared lessons, studio policies

I am disappointed to have a student stop lessons after one month. She is 9 years old and came in with several years of traditional lesson experience. My sense was that her mother was positive about SM and letting her start at Level 1, but…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• commitment, FIS, free information session, prior experience, short-lived student, unsupportive parent

I have a parent inquiring about lessons and asking to do one trial lesson. I think having her do the 4-song workshop or a 3-month trial is a better idea. What do you think? I would say “Yes” and just do a free introductory session…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• commitment, FIS, free information session, free introductory session, SIS, trial lesson

I’m having trouble with a boy aged 7 years who hasn’t been following the rules (mum isn’t helping as she always asks his permission for everything!). Today I told him I wanted to help him but I couldn’t if he wouldn’t listen to me and…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• claiming territory, coach not coaching, commitment, defiant student, difficult conversations, Laurie Richards, requirement based studio

What is your take on parents who say “We’re just going to try this for a year and see if it works”? Do you take on the student and think of it as an opportunity to impact the parents’ viewpoint since this is the way…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• commitment, communication, Laurie Richards, long-term relationship conversation, trying it out

Just curious how you handle inquiries from people who are interested in “trying it out” vs being committed to a long-term relationship with piano. I’m looking for students and families who place a high priority on music, although I’m well aware that without being exposed,…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• commitment, Laurie Richards, long-term, mindset, trying it out, workshop

A group of three students: The first one does everything I assign beautifully. The second one (the fastest learner of the three) only practices 1/2 of the assigned items, but beautifully. The third one does 1/3 of what I assign but not so beautifully because…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• commitment, different pacing in group, Gordon Harvey, managing shared lessons, practice habits, practicing