Over the first half of 2020 the entire structure for teaching has shifted not only for music programs, but all educational programs, institutions, and organizations around the world. This has impacted not only the teachers, but the students and outlook moving forward as well. While a large majority of schools and studios have shifted their learning to be online, many will agree that the learning environment has changed. While this presents many exciting ways for your child to learn, it also highlights some challenges as well. At the end of the day, learning virtually won’t always be an instant fit for your child. We have provided five helpful tips to help any parents who find themselves looking at the next option for their child’s musical education.
1. Make sure your child is engaged
Music lessons should be fun and engaging for students of all ages. If your child is focused and involved in the lesson, they will only show a faster progression with their studies.
2. Class Type
There are many different class types and programs available. Options include private lessons, group lessons, and specific programs dedicated to a particular age groups and topics. Keeping an open mind to all of these options will definitely be helpful for choosing a format that is a fit.
3. Lesson Length
The lesson length can have a strong impact on the overall learning experience of the student. Trying different lesson lengths to see what’s the best fit is a great thing to consider. The most standard lesson duration is 30-minutes, although for young beginners 20-minutes can be a more suitable lesson length.
4. Look At What The Program Has To Offer
For online learning, recitals and other events can still happen! Even though your child may be learning virtually, having performance experiences and ways to showcase one’s learning is important.
5. Get To Know The Teacher
No matter if you’re looking for private lessons or a much larger class, the instructor is vital to the overall learning experience. Getting to know the instructor and asking specific questions is a great way to figure out if the lesson or class is what you’re looking for. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are several good starting points:
· What is your experience and background with teaching?
· What are the most important concepts for you as an instructor?
· Can you talk about your student expectations for the lesson/class?
By asking these questions, you should be able to have an informative conversation that will most likely lead to other more specific questions getting answered as well. Just like anything else, you’ll be able to get a strong sense if the instructor is the best fit by having this type of conversation.