Category: Podcast Episodes

Reflections – Concentration Modeling

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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 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 —–

014 TSP See, Hear, Feel

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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

Reflections – Whisper the Hopes of Your Heart

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 advice to pray once a day for their child to help parents remember the joy and hope that the parents had on the child’s birth. Listen and see whether such advice would brighten up your feelings about your child.

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 —–

013 TSP Personality Styles

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast discusses the four basic personality styles as outlined by Florence Littauer in her “Personality Plus” books, which I will link to below. I have found that understanding the different styles helps parents and teachers to be more effective with children. Have a listen and see if you can figure out what personality style you have and what style your children or students have. How can you become better as a parent or teacher?

Here is the link to the books mentioned in the podcast. These 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!

Personality Plus for Parents

More personality styles books by Florence Littauer

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 — The Best Gift (2016-06-22)

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 raising children to become a truly civilized human being. Have a listen and discover whether you are giving your child the “best gift” you can.

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 —–

012 TSP The Million Dollar Lesson

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast discusses the Million Dollar Lesson, which 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.

Several books offer even more help in this parenting and teaching area, and I provide some affiliate links here. 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!

Dr. Kevin Leman’s books: http://amzn.to/1X1wcSH

Ron Clark’s books: http://amzn.to/1r4qdPa

Here is the link to one of my favorite parenting websites, in case you would like to explore various areas about parenting in greater detail:

Aha! Parenting

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 – Convenience (2016-06-15)

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 whether “convenience” is a factor in our teaching and parenting and whether this is appropriate. Have a listen and discover what your attitude might be concerning parenting, teaching, and the convenience factor.

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 —–

011 TSP How to Teach Your Child (Practice)

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast discusses how to teach (practice) with your child. Many parents may be uncertain how a practice session should look, and this episode will take some of the mystery out of planning and executing an effective practice session with your child. Have a listen and see if you can find some useful tips and tricks to make teaching or practicing with your child easier.

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:

Step by Step by Kerstin Wartberg: These helpful materials break down practicing tasks in the early violin Suzuki books and are very helpful materials for parents who are struggling to understand what to practice and how. I highly recommend these materials as wonderful reference tools for parents and teachers alike! Remember, though, that these materials are for parents and teachers, not students. We learn from the materials and then teach our children and students.

From my archives, here are a few blog articles from my “How to Practice” series that may further understanding about practice journals and logs and the magic patterns mentioned in the episode:

How to Practice, part 1

Using a Practice Record

Using a Practice Log

Using a Practice Journal

Snacking Your Way to Good Practice Health

Magic Patterns

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