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November News
Is My Kid Normal?
I know as a parent of two teens, it can be a question we parents ask ourselves often: Is my kid normal?
Well, let me put your mind at ease. Yes! Your kid is normal.
Having taught music for almost 30 years, I have met with so many parents who are worried about what is "normal" considering how their child is doing in their music lessons. They might be comparing their child to their own childhood experience with music lessons or their friend's child who is also taking music lessons.
Here is my advice to all parents: do not go down that road of comparing your child with others. Every child has their own journey in music and we can't all have the exact same experiences.
Here are 5 truths about music lessons that you can expect as a parent of a child taking music lessons:
1. It is NORMAL for your kid to not want to practice consistently. Many students go through periods of being totally bored, frustrated, or apathetic towards playing their instrument. This is a very normal occurrence as it happens with other things in life as well. What we are trying to teach in music lessons is not only how to oplay an instrument, but how to be diligent and persevere in an endeavor that will will carry out in all aspects of their lives.
2. It is normal to take several years to successfully learn an instrument. I have met some parents think that a couple months of guitar lessons should give their child enough time to learn to play like Eddie VanHalen. Here is the realistic truth: It takes many years, usually around 10 solid years to master an instrument. This can vary depending on the amount of practice done as well. Music is a very specialized discipline that uses the whole brain to perform. It is a skill that requires physical stamina, fine motor skills, and intense concentration. It is an amazing skill to have and can be extremely rewarding and enriching. That's why the amount of time required is so necessary.
3. It is normal for kids to not want to play in recitals. If we asked each student if they wanted to play in our recitals, a lot of them would say "No way!" That's why we just expect our students to perform unless their parents expressly say they cannot. Then, our students get on stage, feeling nervous, play a great performance and usually will say they had fun. Most of our students end up loving recitals because it really is enjoyable to perform for warm audience. I usually tell my students that it's ok to play nervous. Sometimes in life we have to do things even though we feel nervous. It's ok.
4. It is normal to have periods of no discernible progress. All musicians go through cycles, very similar to athletes, where it appears that progress is not being made. They are stuck in a rut. They are playing the same piece for so long and it is getting tedious. From my own experience, that is usually the time when there is a breakthrough just around the corner. What may seem like no progress is actually a lot of progress going on in the mind. It just cannot be seen on the outside yet. Then, one day it just clicks mentally and it beings to appear on the outside as improvement in tone, technique, a particular passage, etc. Diligence is the key.
I hope this helps with any worries or concerns about what to expect about music lessons. We love your kids and wish them to have an amazing experience in their music journey! If you still have any concerns about how your child is doing, I would love to hear from you and have a chat about it. Just call us and I will make time for you!
Dawn Elmer
Academy Director
Well, let me put your mind at ease. Yes! Your kid is normal.
Having taught music for almost 30 years, I have met with so many parents who are worried about what is "normal" considering how their child is doing in their music lessons. They might be comparing their child to their own childhood experience with music lessons or their friend's child who is also taking music lessons.
Here is my advice to all parents: do not go down that road of comparing your child with others. Every child has their own journey in music and we can't all have the exact same experiences.
Here are 5 truths about music lessons that you can expect as a parent of a child taking music lessons:
1. It is NORMAL for your kid to not want to practice consistently. Many students go through periods of being totally bored, frustrated, or apathetic towards playing their instrument. This is a very normal occurrence as it happens with other things in life as well. What we are trying to teach in music lessons is not only how to oplay an instrument, but how to be diligent and persevere in an endeavor that will will carry out in all aspects of their lives.
2. It is normal to take several years to successfully learn an instrument. I have met some parents think that a couple months of guitar lessons should give their child enough time to learn to play like Eddie VanHalen. Here is the realistic truth: It takes many years, usually around 10 solid years to master an instrument. This can vary depending on the amount of practice done as well. Music is a very specialized discipline that uses the whole brain to perform. It is a skill that requires physical stamina, fine motor skills, and intense concentration. It is an amazing skill to have and can be extremely rewarding and enriching. That's why the amount of time required is so necessary.
3. It is normal for kids to not want to play in recitals. If we asked each student if they wanted to play in our recitals, a lot of them would say "No way!" That's why we just expect our students to perform unless their parents expressly say they cannot. Then, our students get on stage, feeling nervous, play a great performance and usually will say they had fun. Most of our students end up loving recitals because it really is enjoyable to perform for warm audience. I usually tell my students that it's ok to play nervous. Sometimes in life we have to do things even though we feel nervous. It's ok.
4. It is normal to have periods of no discernible progress. All musicians go through cycles, very similar to athletes, where it appears that progress is not being made. They are stuck in a rut. They are playing the same piece for so long and it is getting tedious. From my own experience, that is usually the time when there is a breakthrough just around the corner. What may seem like no progress is actually a lot of progress going on in the mind. It just cannot be seen on the outside yet. Then, one day it just clicks mentally and it beings to appear on the outside as improvement in tone, technique, a particular passage, etc. Diligence is the key.
I hope this helps with any worries or concerns about what to expect about music lessons. We love your kids and wish them to have an amazing experience in their music journey! If you still have any concerns about how your child is doing, I would love to hear from you and have a chat about it. Just call us and I will make time for you!
Dawn Elmer
Academy Director
Christmas Gift Certificates Available!
Do you have a friend or loved one who would love to try some music lessons? You can purchase gift certificates for private lessons in any instrument we offer! Your friend or family member can schedule their lessons at their convenience and they are good for one year! You can order them by phone or stop by and we will get them to you. A great gift idea!
New Referral Program
You can win 4 passes to ski Silver Mountain AND the Silver Mountain Water Park!
The new referral contest is on! You could win 4 lift tickets for Silver Mountain and 4 passes to the Silver Mountain waterpark by referring a friend to the Academy. That's not all! Each time you refer a friend to the Academy, you will both get to pick out a $25 gift card to one of your favorite stores. Plus you will be entered to win our referral contest! Please tell your friends and family how much you love your lessons because we would love to have more wonderful students like you! We will draw the winner for this prize in December!
Music Therapy
Music Therapy is available at PFMA with our licensed music therapist, Joyce Hanson. Do you have a child that needs music therapy? Music therapy can help people with autism to improve skills in areas such as communication, social skills, sensory issues, behavior, cognition, perceptual/motor skills, and self-reliance or self-determination.
Music therapy is a clinical intervention that can support the emotional, psychological, cognitive, social, and communicative needs of people. Music therapy is a clinical intervention by a trained professional that can support the emotional, psychological, cognitive, social, and communicative needs of people.
Many of our families get help from the state to fund these music therapy sessions.
If you are interested in what music therapy can do for your child, please call us at
208-818-8289 and we will set up a free consultation with Joyce.
Music Therapy is available at PFMA with our licensed music therapist, Joyce Hanson. Do you have a child that needs music therapy? Music therapy can help people with autism to improve skills in areas such as communication, social skills, sensory issues, behavior, cognition, perceptual/motor skills, and self-reliance or self-determination.
Music therapy is a clinical intervention that can support the emotional, psychological, cognitive, social, and communicative needs of people. Music therapy is a clinical intervention by a trained professional that can support the emotional, psychological, cognitive, social, and communicative needs of people.
Many of our families get help from the state to fund these music therapy sessions.
If you are interested in what music therapy can do for your child, please call us at
208-818-8289 and we will set up a free consultation with Joyce.
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