Teaching the very young

November 12, 2009 at 11:51 PM

Jaewook commenced with a too slow pace. Sessions passed and there was almost no advantage. During our class he used to play with me and with his toys rather than playing his fiddle. He showed some kind of over active behavior. Not listening to me, sometimes he lied down and tried to sleep and sometimes jumped up and down on his bed. I knew that the first one in charge is me and I have to find the right solution to this problem. But nothing worked actually! Neither coping with his naughty attitude, and taking it easy with a synthetic smile on my face, nor turning to be too serious and frown. I even offered him rewards when he did his job well a little -like when he held his violin correctly on his shoulder- or I quit the class too soon once to show my dissatisfaction and to leave him to his parents. Many so called "teachers" believe that music is inherited genetically and suggest that a teacher has to quit instructing a pupil when he/she does not show any sign of inborn talent. But I don't believe in such a prejudiced, disappointing idea and I know that if a person can't learn something everyone and everything would be responsible except the learner him/herself. Once Jaewook's mother suggested that we change his class time for that time has been his daily nap time for a long time. The problem was solved at once! Since that day-on which we decided to change our class time to a better one- Jaewook has been a totally different person. And this month his progress has been sparkling. Here I’d like to express my gratitude to Jaewook’s thoughtful mother for all she’s done to help me and her son.

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on November 12, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Some people are really not taught"able" on certain topics (just my opinion) but, especially with young children, who do not realize their "wrong" behaviours, it's cool when the teacher finally finds a solution. I'm not sure their is always a solution to interest a kid in something. It's like telling that everone has an engineer's head (just an example, nothing bad in this at all!). In fact, some have litterary heads, other more maths heads etc etc etc. But it's important to give a chance to a child who doesn't realize he's naughty and then, maybe you will find that he/she has talent in what you try to teach. (like in this case) Well, some realize they are naughty and act like little kings but this is another debate and not related to your story at all. Many super good violinists were knowned as hyperactive or naughty by the way... Might be a good sign : )

Bravo and good luck to you two!

Anne-Marie

From Roland Bailey
Posted on November 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM

That was a great solution, Ammar!

Bravissimo!

(edited to correct spelling)

From enion pelta
Posted on November 13, 2009 at 10:01 PM

How old is Jaewook? I have had some challenges teaching very young kids and asked their parents to bring them back in 6 months when they're developmentally ready to focus on something for 5 - 10 minutes...but this is a novel idea and makes sense....I'll have to try it with my next batch of little kids!

From Ammar Dadizadeh
Posted on November 15, 2009 at 9:15 PM

Thanks to you all for you read and thought over my entry. This will encourage me to publish other posts in future. Jaewook is almost five. Actually I spend my whole day teaching young children. However Jaewook is not my youngest student. I've had a two years old pupil experience too. Again thank you.

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Teaching the very young

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