Month: July 2016

Reflections – Anger Tracking

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This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This brief episode discusses how to track anger and by tracking anger, thereby possibly eliminating it altogether. Have a listen and see if these simple ideas can help you and your family to eliminate anger in the home.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

 

017 TSP It’s Too Easy

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast discusses an issue that I have bumped into a few times in recent weeks, and that is when students (or possibly parents) tell me that something is “too easy.” The episode looks at this concept to figure out what is the motivation behind the comment and then considers ways to appropriately and helpfully respond. Have a listen and see if you have some ideas yourself to share with the community about this idea. Be sure to leave a comment!

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

Reflections – Anger is Unnecessary

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This brief episode discusses why anger may be unnecessary and how it can poorly impact a situation. The episode also suggests alternative emotions to anger.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

016 TSP Don’t Worry

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In this episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast, I discuss the troubling issue of how parents could be hurting rather than nurturing their children with their words. I puzzle over this issue a great deal, and here I share my thoughts about this issue.

I highly recommend two books written by Dr. Suzuki. I believe that parents will find these books inspiring and helpful. I also recommend another book written by one of our most important advocates of the Suzuki Method, both as a parent and a teacher.

Ability Development From Age Zero: In this book Dr. Suzuki focuses on how parents can create or improve the child’s environment to encourage ability development and happier family situations.

Nurtured by Love: In this book Dr. Suzuki sets out his philosophy and its principles. This book explains how Dr. Suzuki came to the realization that “all children have talent,” “talent is not inborn,” and “man is the son of his environment.”

To Learn With Love: written by Constance Starr, this book is a companion book for Suzuki parents. Parents will enjoy this personal account of discoveries and suggestions from an actual Suzuki parent and teacher, whose husband and family are well known in the Suzuki world today.

I own all three of these books and have for many years. I highly recommend that parents add these books to their personal libraries and read them at least once a year.

The links I provide you with here are affiliate links. You do not ever have to purchase anything, but if you are in the market to do so, I ask that you consider using one of my affiliate links to do so. The cost is still the same to you, but it will provide a benefit to me that will help me to maintain the blog and podcast episode production. I greatly appreciate it!

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

Reflections – Concentration Modeling

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This brief episode discusses activities to help a parent teach concentration and focus with suggested games and activities.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

015 TSP Asking the Right Questions

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In this episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast, I discuss the art of asking the right questions to avoid a student’s (or other listener’s) natural resistance to being told what to do in a teaching or home practice situation. There are many different questioning styles, and this episode looks in depth at the 4 basic types and explains why one particular questioning style is more effective than the others. Have a listen and see if you can add this art of asking the right questions to your teaching and parenting toolbag.

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

Reflections – 5 Conditions to Develop Great Ability

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This episode discusses Dr. Suzuki’s suggested 5 conditions to develop great ability and who has the responsibility to create these conditions for the benefit of the child. Listen and see if you agree with Dr. Suzuki.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

Have You Heard the Latest Teach Suzuki Podcast Episodes?

Teach Suzuki Podcast


The Teach Suzuki Podcast has been busy in the past month. Here are the latest three weekly episodes of the regular podcast:
The Million Dollar Lesson: The Million Dollar Lesson is a tool designed to teach the child (and the parent) about appropriate lesson behaviors. Some teachers and parents may have difficulty accepting this teaching tool, and this episode looks at various viewpoints and offers some caveats about how to use the tool effectively. This episode also provides links to several suggested books and other tools about parenting that might provide help to a parent.
Personality Styles: This episode discusses the four personality styles identified by Hippocrates centuries ago. Along with identifying the personality style of parents and their children, this episode will explain how a mismatch between styles may stir up problems in home practices, home and family situations, and in the studio between teacher and student.
See, Hear, Feel: This episode discusses the three most common learning styles and how knowing these styles will help parents and others improve communication within families, the workplace, and in the music studio.

 

Reflections
There have been several “Reflections” episodes published as well. These shorter weekly episodes of a few minutes’ length are designed to present a short thought or reflection about some aspect of the Suzuki philosophy or quote from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. The purpose of these reflection episodes is to encourage parents and teachers to consider how a small change in some area of our thinking or behavior might have a large impact on the happiness of our children, our home situation, our workplace environment, and our families. Here are the most recent episodes:

Whisper the Hopes of Your Heart: This episode discusses Dr. Suzuki’s advice to a parent to pray once a day for his or her child to help the parent remember the joy and hope that the parent had upon the child’s birth. Would such advice brighten up your feelings about your child?
The Best Gift: This episode discusses raising children to become truly civilized human beings. Are you giving your child the “best gift” you can.
Convenience: Is “convenience” a factor in our teaching and parenting? Is this appropriate? What is your attitude about parenting, teaching, and the “convenience” factor?

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

014 TSP See, Hear, Feel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast discusses the three typical learning styles that people and students rely on when processing and communicating with each other. When parents and teachers are familiar with these three learning styles, teaching and learning can go smoother and quicker. These different styles are also good starting points for improving our skills of seeing, hearing, and feeling, whether these skills are our dominant style or not.

In this episode I also talk about some books that we use to learn to read music and rhythm. I provide you with some affiliate links here for those materials. You do not ever have to purchase anything, but if you are in the market to do so, I ask that you consider using one of my affiliate links to do so. The cost is still the same to you, but it will provide a benefit to me that will help me to maintain the blog and podcast episode production. I greatly appreciate it!

I Can Read Music by Joanne Martin: This series of reading books divides the task of learning to read into two parts: reading pitch and reading rhythm. My students really enjoy this slower paced book, especially when they can play the rhythm page with the “awesome rhythm sticks.”

Rhythm Train books by Dana Bowen: These books visually represent easy ways to learn rhythms using animal names. All of my students find these books quite entertaining and easy to use to learn rhythms. The books also include large flashcards and many practice sheets. I have used the books in lessons and group classes both.

Rhythm Sticks: These are some of the many “awesome” rhythm sticks that my students look forward to using in lessons and group classes. Enjoy! Having many sticks of various colors makes selection time fun for students!

And here is a link to the poem by John Godfrey Saxe about the blind men and the elephant: Blind Men and the Elephant.

Please be sure to leave me a comment if you figure out what your learning style is or that of your student or child. It is always fun to play with these styles.

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