Three Tips for Making Them Count
Have you noticed how lessons at this time of year have a different rhythm? Students’ routines are interrupted. Practice often takes a back seat to camps, vacations, and hot summer days. Things aren’t the same as during the school year.
Here are three simple reminders that can make summer teaching more enjoyable—for both you and your students.
1. Keep lessons short.
Focus on one or two meaningful goals that students can easily take on. Now’s the time to delay trying to make improvements on everything. Shorter lessons can leave students feeling encouraged and motivated to return.
2. Be enthusiastic.
Highlight where students are successful. Make sure students can see their good results small and big. Your enthusiasm reminds students that making music is something to enjoy, not just another item on a checklist. Set tone with your energy.
3. Be realistic.
Expecting school-year levels of preparation during the summer often leads to frustration. Meet students where they are. Celebrate small successes, keep expectations appropriate, and remember that maintaining a student's connection to music over the summer is often more valuable than making huge progress.
Summer music lessons aren't about covering the most material—they're about nurturing our students’ joy of music making. Sometimes the greatest success of summer lessons is simply helping students remember why they love making music.
Be sure to check out the following Teach Music 21C resources -