Skip to main content

Why I Discourage Taking the Summer Off from Lessons (or Missing Lessons during the school year)




 First off, we get it.  School is out.....vacations are planned.  Camps make them tired.  They need down time.  WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT.........but here is why it's not a great idea. 

When children ignore their studies in any subject........it takes several days to several weeks to get back into the groove.  They may need a tutor, or extra help after school and at home.  

Music is different.  It's just not focus.  It's losing comprehension of the music.  It's losing the fine motor skills that it takes to play  their chosen instrument.  Stamina.  It's almost like starting over.  Which can be frustrating for all involved.  

I have seen many different scenarios.   Practice continued, but it was sporadic and rushed.  No lessons with their teacher.   Bad habits were created.  Songs learned incorrectly.  It can take weeks to unlearn and relearn bad habits. 

On the other end, no practice at all.  Instrument collected dust.  Returned to lessons, but lost most of their skills.  Parents remember what they did sound like, so does student.  No matter how much I reassure both it will return, the towel is thrown in and they quit.  

It's a matter of importance to me.  It's not just about income.  Though our bills don't stop during the summer if our income does.   I teach because I want to.  I enjoy bringing the gift of music to young and young at heart musicians.  I do not like to miss scheduled lessons.  It's why we have subs, to not inconvenience our musicians.  We give our students our year round calendar every August, so hopefully we can coordinate lessons off during our breaks. 

So, how can we avoid these situations?   Don't stop lessons!    Work with your educator or Studio, usually schedules are a bit more flexible.  Double up on lessons the weeks you are around.  Please don't lose the skills you already worked hard to learn.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Back to School Limited Time Deals at Amazon

 I don't know if it's the teacher in me, but I always like to see what's new in back to school shopping.  I loved being a student, so that may be part of it too.  So I was looking at all the back to school deals, and here are some I would like to share with you.  I am an Amazon Associate, so if you were to purchase through one of my links (at no cost to you) I would get a small percentage.   What teacher doesn't need a box of  Pre-Sharpened pencils ?  Limited time deal 150 pencils for just $12.00! Every class subject needs their own  color folder Get prepared for the next decade with 100 folders just $16.00!  Limited Time Deal Pre School Teachers Alert! A 36 pack o f playdoh  just $19.99! Limited Time Deal Got to have more erasers, those tiny pencil erasers do not last long.  Limited Time Deal,  12 Eraser  box for just $5.54 What teacher, student or musician doesn't need s heet protectors ?  Limited Time Deal, 20...

Holiday Stroll Was a Success

Every year the town of Wallingford kicks of the Holiday Shopping Season the first Friday of December.  Restaurants and Business give samples or discounts, Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for photos (The Grinch and Krampus too!) Live Musicians and Chestnuts Roasting by the Christmas Tree in the center of town.  This Year we performed at the Body and Soul Day Spa M enjoyed playing her pieces by memory at her first Stroll Event Sean was bringing the joy  Danica Lead the String Ensemble           Mira had a Sax solo Eli dressed the part!  

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?...