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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast lists 100 things that a parent and student could do over the summer. The purpose of this episode was to come up with a very large number to be sure to include at least something for everyone’s personal interests. Have a listen and see if you find something or several things that would keep you and your child interested in music and practice throughout the summer.
Here are some links to some items mentioned on the show. Although these are affiliate links, they do not cost you more but will benefit me and my podcast production costs. If you are in the market for any of these items, consider benefiting the podcast by using the links provided:
- Games and Motivation for the Suzuki Violin Student by Diane Wagstaff
- Books: Dr. Suzuki and parenting
- com
- Incentive Chart Pads
- Blank Flash Cards
- Color Spinners
- Color Dice
- Color Sided Dice and Specialty Dice
- “Practice” Candle: comes in choice of colors; burns 55 hours; you can mark off different goal places on the candle
Suzuki Association of the Americas: provides a list of summer Suzuki institutes
Here are some links to websites I mentioned. I receive no benefit from referring you here. I have used or participated in fundraising events through these organizations. Some of these sites are fundraising websites, and some restrictions apply.
If you’re interested in the Potter puppet pals scariest ticking noise video, click here: https://youtu.be/Tx1XIm6q4r4
If you are interested in a printable version of the list of “100 Things to do in the Summer,” send me an email request at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.
If you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.
You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.
Until next time,
Happy Practicing!
—– Paula —–
© 2016 by Paula E. Bird
Fantastic! Thank you!
Thanks, Sarah! Welcome to the podcast! Let me know if you want a copy of the list. Send me an email!
Thank you, Paula! I loved SO many of these! Many of these things are things we do in group class, or in practice challenges, but it is wonderful to have them as family activities for summer. It is even better to have them listed all together for reference! I will share them with my students for this summer when I won’t be able to teach for a big part of the summer.
Thanks, Virginia. And I love your practice chains idea. I need to add that to my list!
This is a wonderful thing you have done, Paula. Parents beed ideas.
My son is going back to the old country with my wife, daughter and grandson for six weeks. There likely will not be a piano around for him to play. So I am sending him off with his melodic and an mp3 player loaded with all of his book one and book two piano music to listen to on a daily basis. Listening is a huge component of Suzuki that parents sometimes do not emphasize as much as might be desirable. Although the melodica is not a oink, it will at least keep his fingers moving and keep the melodies in his mental memory. He has also been learning the recorder at school, so I will send him off with some recorders that he can share give to his cousins and he can learn to play his piano melodies on the recorder and teach them to his cousins.
While listening, it also dawns on me that I could ask him to learn some folk melodies from the old country (Georgia in the Caucasus mountains) that he can teach to mewhen he gets back.
We are only limited by our imaginations and desire to find a reason to play.
When he returns with Songs from the old country, I want to learn them too! I have been thinking about that as a wonderful addition to my group classes in the fall. One of my studio parents is from Brazil, and another one is from Vietnam. I know there are many beautiful songs from other countries that my students would enjoy learning. Thanks for the great idea!
Sincerely,
Paula
I just heard your idea with your practice booklet idea. I will make up a list of daily activities (including listening!) so my wife can make sure he stays with it.
My son is also smitten with Beethoven and his 5th symphony
They will layovers going and returning in Munich, so I will get him to play the melody of the 5th in Germany, where the composer was born.
I will look into the possibility of renting a touch sensitive digital keyboard in the old country.
Fortunately his 11 year old cousin is also a piano student, so I’m sure my sister-in-law will be interested in facilitating keeping piano playing going somehow.
Thanks for the inspiration!