#17. SuzukiCast- Changing Gears

Parents and teachers often ask about the process of moving from childhood to adolescence in learning a musical instrument. The Suzuki program follows and accompanies the child from early childhood, through adolescence.It’s only natural that we need to change gears as we go along. At the beginning stages we encourage children, motivate them, create their appetite – for music and learning and dedicate our efforts to keep the desire alive. When they grow up, you hope that everything you nurtured them to do, is there. Your child pushes you away when they want to be independent. Even if you feel hurt or rejected you know that’s an important step in their upbringing. In being a Suzuki Parent, you’ve created a deep and close bond with your child. Now the time has come to enjoy the fruits: Everything your child learnt in at the piano or other instrument is reflected in life in general. The success of the learning process is a precursor to the success in other areas in your child’s life. The things your children have achieved in learning to play would naturally and automatically be implemented in their lives. Concentration, perseverance, self-discipline, sense of commitment, Sensitivity (to beauty, arts, people), stamina, ability to perform and knowing how to achieve level of mastery. When the parent steps back, the responsibilities do not disappear; they just change hands. Independence needs to be earned by the child. Sometimes it doesn’t go smoothly. Becoming independent needs to include: 1. I can do the work by myself. 2. I’m WILLING to do the work by myself. In this episode we go through the points that these processes require, and what happens in a parallel process underneath it. All which leads to a great lesson in life!!! If children are not ready yet to understand it, they need to be guided and helped to develop the character for this. In Dr Shinichi Suzuki words: “Character first – Ability second.”  *.         *.        *.        *. I’m looking to grow the podcast to reach more listeners and I'd much prefer to not use advertising. IF YOU LIKE THIS PODCAST and WANT TO HELP , Click the PayPal link http://bit.ly/PayPal-Souloist I will be very grateful for any offering your heart calls you to do. Thank you. *.         *.        *.        *. Listen to this episode of "The Souloist" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. The introduction music is  " Prelude and Berceuse", Shinichi Suzuki's favourite composition,  performed  by Shinichi Suzuki, Nagoya, 1970. www.zohararotem.com