Reflections: Give My Regards to Your Teacher

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This 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 talks about Dr. Suzuki’s habit of asking his students “Who is Your Teacher?” Have a listen and discover how Dr. Suzuki responded to his students’ answers. Who are your child’s teachers?

For more information about how to add more classical music listening into your daily life, check out some of the resources suggested here:

Music Listening Resource List

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 —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

007 TSP What Kind of Parent Are You?

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This podcast episode looks at the issue of parenting and how a parent’s style of teaching or working with a child will have a positive or negative effect on the child and may have lasting consequences that reach through to touch on later generations. The discussion then turns to the steps to follow when teaching a child how to solve problems and learn how to self-manage.

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 —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

Reflections — Scolding Children

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This episode is part of the shorter, minutes long “Reflections” podcast series, in which we look at small steps that parents and teachers can take that have a big impact on a child’s life.

In this episode, I discuss Dr. Suzuki’s tough quote that a problem child comes from a problem parent, and I offer his advice about the effectiveness of scolding children. Have a listen and see if you find something of value that you might include in your parenting or teaching life.

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 —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

006 TSP How to Take Notes at the Music Lesson

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This episode explores in great depth the issue of a parent’s taking notes during a child’s music lesson, including some sample lessons and the kinds of notes that parents can record. I explain why taking notes is beneficial, and I explore reasons why parents might not find this task easy. The main purpose of this episode is to demystify the difficulty of taking notes. I explain what and how and give plenty of examples.

For a copy of the observation checklist that I offered, send me an email at http://paulabirdviolin@gmail.com. I will be happy to send you a copy of this form.

If you are interested in the YouTube video I mentioned about whether handwriting or electronic notetaking is better, visit:  http://www.inbound.com/blog/clive-thompson-bold-talks.

If you are as interested in trying out the pencils that are shown in the video, I highly recommend them! They are the Blackwing, and they are worth every penny!

http://amzn.to/1O0K4o0

I bought a box, and I assure you, I use one pencil at a time, and the pencil is never out of my sight! I found that my students enjoy using my special “world’s greatest pencil” and ask to use it frequently to TAKE THEIR OWN NOTES! If I had realized that a special pencil would motivate students to take more notes, I would have purchased this brand of pencil ages ago! This is an affiliate link, which means that I get a benefit when you purchase through this link. You are never under an obligation to buy anything that I suggest, but if you are already in the market to do so, the cost to you will be the same, and I will get a benefit to support the podcast recordings and the blog if you purchase through my link (and you have my greatest thanks!). And of course, who can buy a special “world’s greatest pencil” without the special eraser? Here’s the link:

http://amzn.to/1O0K4o0

If you would like to leave me a message on my voicemail, you can do so at: (512) 537-6356.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

Paula

Reflections – Physical Touch

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This 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 reminds us about the importance of physical touch in order to make connections with each other and our children in order to thrive in our world. Have a listen and see if you have anything to add to the list of ways that we can connect with each other through physical touch.

005 TSP: How Parents Can Help at Lessons

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Welcome to Episode 5 of the Teach Suzuki Podcast! In this episode, I list 8 ways that parents can help their child at music lessons. I also talk about some of the ways that parents send silent messages to their child, which the parents might not be aware of, and I also talk about the importance of enthusiasm to help motivate the child to want to practice and learn how to play a musical instrument.

Have a listen and see if I have touched on some of your favorite ways that a parent can help their child at lessons. If you think there are some other things that I could include on my list, leave me a voicemail message on my voicemail line at: (512) 537-6356. Or you can email me at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

You can also follow me on Facebook on my Teach Suzuki page. My Twitter handle is @PaulaEBird and my instagram handle is paula_bird_violin.

For more blog articles about the Suzuki Method that will help teachers, parents, and students, visit http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

 

Reflections: Smile (2016-04-24)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This 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 week’s reflection discusses the power of our facial expressions to affect the feelings of others. Have a listen and see if you too find that your smile could empower everyone around you.

004 TSP Top 10 Things a Suzuki Parent Should Know

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This podcast episode sets out my top 10 list of things that I want my Suzuki student parents to know. I believe that these 10 things are basic steps that are crucial to a successful journey in the Suzuki Method world. I talk about these important topics:

1- The Suzuki Method

2 – The 6 Suzuki Method Philosophical points

3 – The Suzuki Triangle

4 – The importance of daily listening

5 – The importance of daily practice

6 – Understanding the personalities of the parent, child, and teacher

7 – Understanding the parenting style in the home and how to improve it

8 – The important points to help a child in home practices

9 – The important points to help a child at lessons

10 – The important points to help a child at group classes

Have a listen and see if you include these same points in your top 10 list. If you have more items to suggest, please contact me. You can leave me a voicemail on my voicemail line at: (512) 537-6356. Or you can email me at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

You can also follow me on Facebook on my Teach Suzuki page. My Twitter handle is @PaulaEBird and my instagram handle is paula_bird_violin.

For more blog articles about the Suzuki Method that will help teachers, parents, and students, visit http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

 © 2016 by Paula E. Bird

Reflections: Smiling Faces (2016-04-17)

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This is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

This week’s reflection is about this quote: “The environment determines the person. This is very scary.” What happens if the parents line up the children in a row, oldest to youngest? What family history might be reflected in the children’s faces?

Reflections: Stolen Moments (2016-04-10)

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This is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

This week’s reflection is about the quote: “Parents who wish to raise noble children should get rid of their own problems by self reflection.” Can you find moments throughout your day to prepare you to handle possible problems? Have a listen to this Reflections episode and see if you find some useful tips about how to steal such moments throughout your day.