Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy to music teaching is based on the Mother-Tongue Method, to teach music as a language. When children are born, they spend many months in the beginning, listening to the language (or languages) that surround them. Then begin the trial-and-error phase, where they receive affirmation from their caregivers when the baby babble resembles any part of their language. On this foundation the children continue to grow more vocabulary and absorb grammar and syntax, long before they learn how to read and write. Also, no healthy child has trouble learning how to speak their mother tongue. And with proper education, any child can learn how to read and write, as well.
The idea for this method came to Dr. Suzuki when he realized how easily children learned to speak their own native language, or mother tongue. He observed the process and noticed these things:
1. Parents have no doubt in their child’s ability to learn to speak. Though children develop at their own rate, every child can learn to speak (or develop musical ability, thought Dr. Suzuki), if given enough chances and if taught in the right way for them.
2. Children imitate what they hear. While it may require hearing that first word hundreds of times before the child speaks it himself for the first times, the second word and third word and so on will require fewer and fewer repetitions each time. Suzuki refers to this by saying, “Ability breeds ability.”
The Child ass to his vocabulary while constantly refining what he already knows. Musical skills are built using this add-on principle. The Suzuki repertoire is the musical vocabulary. As new pieces are learned, old ones are reviewed to refine musical skills.
3. ENTHUSIASM! Can you remember how excited you were when your child spoke that first word? undoubtedly, the child received much praise and encouragement — and was asked to say it over and over for everyone you knew. Children thrive on praise, and as a parent your positive attitude is needed every step of the way.
4. Parent is the role model. In the early years the parent is the child’s strongest influence. The child wants to do whatever his parents are doing.By taking interest in your child’s early musical education you set the example that this is something fun and worthwhile to do.
KEY POINTS IN SUZUKI PHILOSOPHY
1. Environment determines outcome — Create a positive environment for your child.
2. Look for the good in each child — everyone has some special quality
3. Every child is capable of response.
4. Listening – key element in training musical ability — the idea is that what goes in is what you can expect to get out of it.
5. Learn in small success-oriented steps. Children like to do what they CAN do.
6. Enjoy the learning process — Keep interested in new ideas.
7. Compete only with oneself. This teaches sensitivity to the world around — idea that education is for life.
8. Parent is the teacher
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Grosse Pointe Music Academy offers Suzuki Violin lessons for Students ages 3 and up in Suzuki Violin
Serving Grosse Pointe and surrounding metro Detroit communities.
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