Repetition

Once we learned a new word (when we were small), we learned to add it to our vocabulary. We just didn't speak it once and then discard it. We repeated it and still use thse words when we communicate. Students in the Suzuki method memorize a piece of music and continue to review these pieces. In doing so, they build their music vocabulary and become more fluent with their playing.

We will ALWAYS review every song in book 1. For a very, very, long time. It is a foundation that I firmly believe in.

Use your song cards, or create a check-off list, or something tangible that your child can "see" progress through the book. I know they like playing games, and I know they like coloring in circles, turning over cards, sliding beads, etc.

Parents will throw a "home concert" at the completion of book 1. I actually had Trae do this not too long ago with his book 1. He chose to have a Star Wars and Jello party. It was super fun. Of course, beside tons of JELLO and Star Wars games, we (cousins and other family) listened to him perform ALL of book 1. He had fun and felt proud.

Good Luck this week!

Listen Listen Listen

Some of you moms are great at making sure your child hears the music they are to learn daily, and some of you aren't so great at it. There is always "proof in the pudding" if you know what I mean. The main focus of the Suzuki method is daily listening to the Suzuki repertoire and also listening to the great masters. Children will learn more quickly and easily the pieces in the repertoire if they are able to hear how the music is spoken in their head first.

None of us would have been able to speak our first word if we had not heard it before.

We moms do a great job decorating our homes with lovely flower accents and great trinkets which give our eyes a "treat" when we see it all arranged well. How about we focus on giving our ears a treat as well? Make sure there is "musical wallpaper" in your home. Your child will benefit greatly from this.

Here are some easy ideas for making sure we get good listening in each day:
*your child needs their own CD player, ipod, or mp3 player in their room.
*put a copy of the CD in your car -- don't forget to play it softly when you are running errands with your child in the car. (great multi-tasking)
*you can get fancy and rig your cd player to the lights in a particular room of the house.
*the longer the music plays, the better your child will internalize what they need.

I've tested this, tried it, and proved it true. Moms, believe me.

How much listening should you do each day? Shoot for 2 hours per day this week and lets see what happens....