Category: Podcast Episodes

Reflections — Fate of the Child

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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 episode discusses the timing of a child’s education. Do it early? Wait until the child is older?

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 —–

030 TSP I Hate the Violin

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast looks at a listener question and discusses how to ask questions to find out relevant information to solve the problem.

If you have questions that you think would be pertinent to ask to resolve the listener question, or 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. I welcome comments and questions about this episode so that we can really discover the root issue and come up with an effective treatment plan!

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 — Hindering Characteristics

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 asks us to examine assumptions regarding a child’s individuality and asks the question of whether these assumptions help or hinder the child’s ability development?

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 —–

029 TSP Excellence is a Habit

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast looks at habits and suggests some small habits to develop toward Aristotle’s goal of “excellence.”

In this episode, I referenced the Squares of 8 game. Here is a link to the blog article about the game, and a link to the template for the game.

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. I would really appreciate comments about this episode!

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 — Failure Does Not Exist

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 asks you to consider whether you have decided that your child is not talented and your child is therefore going to be a failure. This episode then discusses ways to keep your attitude and focus on your child’s progress so that you think of your child in a more positive and helpful manner.

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 —–

028 TSP Aliens Abducted My Child!

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast looks at that time when a student or child appears nonresponsive, daydreamy, and “foggy.” The episode explores the question of what may be happening, why, and what techniques might help parents and teachers survive this period of development.

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. I would really appreciate comments about this episode!

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 — Heal the Hurt

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 asks you to consider whether you have hurt anyone and need to make amends — not so that you heal the hurt of others, although that is a very good reason, but because this will heal the hurt your own hurt in your heart.

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 —–

027 TSP Can My Child Go It Alone?

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast looks at when it is appropriate for a student to become an independent learner at lessons and what the steps to independence might look like.

During the episode, I referenced an excellent book by Ron Clark, called The Essential 55. Here is an affiliate link to that book:

Remember, this is an affiliate link. You are never under any obligation to buy anything, but if you are in the market to do so, and you use this link, I will receive a slight benefit. Your use of the link will not cost you any more, but the benefit does help benefit me for the hours I spend putting together the podcast and blog. 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. I would really appreciate comments about this episode!

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 — Trained Personality

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 looks at the underlying assumptions we make when we think about and describe our children’s personalities. Dr. Suzuki suggests that we should challenge these underlying assumptions in order to recognize our true role in the development of our children’s personalities.

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 —–

026 TSP Where do I Start?

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki podcast looks at where a new parent to the Suzuki studio might start to gather the information that would help the parent on the Suzuki music lesson journey. The episode also spends a little bit of time talking about the important roles parents play in the happiness of their children’s lives when the parents show interest in what the child learns.

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. I would really appreciate comments about this episode!

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