Reflect Constantly
Reflection is often forgotten by teachers rushing rushing rushing in busy mode all day long. However, by slowing down in the now to look back at what has happened you can create an incredible positive momentum moving into the future- much more than any stern talk or rush rush attitude can create.
It is vital to reflect with the student by themselves and also with the parents present so that all three parts of the team can celebrate together, build positivity together, move forward together with the same expectations and goals, learn to take time to acknowledge one another’s efforts, and strengthen relationship foundations through talking about what the team has accomplished.
Taking time to reflect for me as a teacher (and a person!) is a no brainer!
I have noticed that lack of reflection in the team (teacher, parent and student) is the main cause of many blocks in communication from teachers, students and parents alike. These blocks are then made stronger over time and, if not knocked down through reflection and open communication, miscommunications happen which then lead to complete breakdowns in communication, which sadly leads often to giving up on music.
Having reflected with so many students and parents here is what I have found: as long as a reflection is discussed genuinely with thought, care and love for that person, any type of reflection (whether it be an improvement made or a need for improvement) can be given to a person and the person’s energy can shift for the better.
I think it is also important to learn this distinction as a teacher- that the smallest most insignificant positive reflection to a teacher can mean something HUGE to a student and/or parent. It is so important to keep looking at music through the eyes of each individual student and their parent.
At every lesson I reflect with my students- what they have improved in and what they need to focus more on. This can be from the beginning to the end of the lesson, performance to performance, week to week, month to month, term to term, year to year. Sometimes when I mention their improvement they won’t have noticed it- they will then think about it for a bit and sit a little taller with a small smile on their face. I love that reaction. Often I find that reflecting on improvements when students (and parents!) are tired, or having a little trouble focussing, completely turns the lesson around energy-wise. Again, it is a wonderful thing to be a part of and a ‘power’ not to be underestimated as a teacher.
Reflection has to come from the teacher, sure, but it also has to be encouraged from parents and (most importantly) students have to learn to reflect for themselves.
I am often prompting my students through conversation, asking them many different types of questions- if they have noticed a difference with their playing, attitude, skills, practice, focus etc. However, visual tools as well as verbal tools are vital to awesome reflection. It is important for teachers and parents to realise that for some students you can talk all you want about their improvement but it’s only if they see it for themselves that it becomes powerful. Some of my students have invented their own rubrics for assessment and reflection (which are just amazing!) and I am in the middle of creating and trialling my own rubric to help structure my teaching reflective practices (which I’ll share in a later post).
Through learning how to reflect in their music, students can then take this priceless skill into the rest of their life.