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How to Turn the Summer Music Slide Into the Summer Music Success




 Recent North Haven Elementary and High School Chorus Performance

It's almost here!  Summer time!  No School Work, No Home Work, No Activities............But wait.......

Is that what you REALLY want for your child?

Studies show that there is a 9% average of lost studies retention and even higher with students who have a learning disability such as Dyslexia , ADHD or being on the Autistic Spectrum.  

Avoiding all educational ideas in the summer quarter sets up a vicious cycle.  Parents have to reinstitute learning practices and routines.  Students have to relearn what they already had done in preparation for what is to come.  This set back is not good for their self esteem, sense of worth, however your household might describe it. 

Why not come up with a plan NOW to implant learning practices that will WORK for your summer plans. 

Not only will this work with academics, but music lessons too.  

Going away for several weeks?  Most music programs (Suzuki, Piano Adventures, Alfred Piano Library) have recordings or apps now.   The weeks you are away, spend active time listening (in the car, on the plane, relaxing poolside)  This will still plant the music into their brain.  It will help them when they get back to their instrument. 

Can you make a game out of the fingering of their pieces last assigned?   Make some 'play clay' and have the piano student practice 'fingering' their piece into their clay (rice works too in a cookie sheet) Violin students can do this too.  

Going for a nature walk?  Find sticks that might work for a violin, viola or cello bow length and ask your musician to show you how to hold their bow.  Make piles of rocks, flowers, shells and not only practice math with them, but what about 'singing' the rhythm of the items you line up.  Large flower is 4 beats (whole note) Rocks can be 1 beat (quarter note)  tiny shells can be 1/2 a beat (eight notes)

Learning styles change through the years.  Now we know short bursts are better than long sessions for today's youth.  Why not try the idea of setting a time for 5 minutes.  Ask them to help you dust, or fold towels.  They will be amazed at how short a time it is.  Then set it again, and have them play their piano, flute, guitar, etc for that same 5 minutes.  Make the goal for the summer to do this at least twice a day at least 4 days a week.  

You know your child best.  Will having a set time each day for these 5 minute practice sessions work?  Do they prefer spontaneous announcements of "5 minute flash songs" at different times of the day?

You have invested a lot of time and money in your child's education.  Don't let it slide into the pool water this summer.  Help it grow.  

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