Through many years as a guitar teacher, I have seen kids of all backgrounds and abilities become extraordinary learners. These kids have grown to be disciplined, enthusiastic, passionate, and consistent, with a great joy towards learning and practicing their guitar, as well as becoming very confident with both the instrument and themselves. In order to attain this growth, persistence is the key.
Many parents are stuck in a hobby cycle; their kids express interest in an activity like football, dance, guitar, etc., start taking lessons, and shortly after, want to quit. A new hobby catches their fancy, they sign up, and experience the same struggles they encountered in their previous pursuits. I have worked with parents who are stuck in this cycle with their children and know the difficulty of keeping them engaged. Are you living the same struggles and frustrations? Then read on for some insights that can work for you!
A Nurtured, Caring Approach is Always the Best One to Take.
Kids need to feel nurtured when they learn a new skill. They need to feel that they can achieve their goals and that their teacher supports and cares for them and their success. Effective teaching is nurturing, a way of learning that contributes to both the teacher and student being at the same level, without hierarchy, or the teacher being dictatorial. In Japanese culture, it’s said learning can’t happen if the teacher and student don’t have mutual respect for each other. This respect is born of nurture.
Nurture can contribute to a child become well-rounded, creating the right framework for achievements in all areas of their lives. One contribution to my own success was the simple fact that my teacher believed in me. This positivity and confidence of a teacher for their student can be very powerful for a child, giving them external support, and helping them learn their value in the world. A teacher who created accountability for my practice and personal responsibility to show up to lessons every week is the reason I became a successful learner. Teachers who nurture can help children discover what they’re great at and bring out their confidence.
My five takeaways for a teacher to help kids build confidence and set them on their path to personal growth and success are:
Ensuring they know their teacher believes in them.
Nurture their learning.
Create the right framework for achievement.
Make learning fun!
Provide a non-judgemental atmosphere.
Teachers who are able to give these to their students will see the kids’ confidence bloom. The lessons and discipline children gain from being persistent in their learning will help them overcome not just the difficulties that learning an instrument presents, but also those of life. Music education will give kids a sense of value and achievement, as well as provide a lasting source of great joy and happiness in their lives.