5 year old is shy with just one person

[EmilyEa]

I was wondering whether anyone might be able to help me, please.

My five-year-old daughter has been taking music lessons for the past few months. Her teacher, who is young and female (although does teach much older children and so has less experience of dealing with younger ones), comes to our house about once a week and I have to sit in on the lessons so as to know what my daughter needs to practice.

My daughter is very shy with the teacher - something that is not an issue with the other teachers in her life. She is enjoying her music lessons and progressing well but it is awkward and she sometimes appears rude when she communicates so little to the music teacher. It must be like hitting a brick wall for the poor teacher.

I had thought that things would be made better if the lessons weren't held at home but unfortunately this is not possible. Perhaps I could ask the teacher if it would be ok for me to not sit in on the lessons.

I would be grateful for any tips that you may have! Thank you.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Does your daughter enjoy the lessons? Are you able to talk privately with the teacher to se if she ythinks there is a problem?

[Andro]

As long as your DD is progressing, the teacher isn't hitting a brick wall!

1-2-1 and in her own home is pretty high pressure, at 5 that might be tough for her to manage - certainly worth a gentle chat (very gentle, she's not misbehaving!). The relationship between teacher and student will likely develop over time, this would have been true 1-2-1 out of the home as well because the nature of 1-2-1 instruction is very individual. You have also said that the teacher is more accustomed to older students, she will be learning as much about interacting with your DD as your DD is learning (about music and interacting with her teacher).

So long as your DD isn't distressed or hating her lessons, I wouldn't worry too much - I'd try and find out how best to support her.