My daughter takes classical guitar lessons with Jody Mosely in Kevin Taylor's Childbloom Guitar Program, so every month we receive an e-letter with awonderfully thoughtful essay. In the December issue last month Mr. Taylor’s essay addressed a topic every teacher and parent spends a lot of time thinking about--practicing! Mr. Taylor's observations struck me as particularly wise and insightful and I asked his permission to reprint a portion of his essay
here. If you'd like to know more about the Childbloom Guitar Program visit their website: http://childbloom.com/ or like them on Facebook.
“Some parents, due to the frustration of trying to control their child’s practice and failing, think they are powerless in the process and they give up. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate the power parents have when they do little things that demonstrate big things to their kids. Little things can validate the child’s interest for a long time. Children know what their parents are most interested in--be it work, study disciplines, hobbies, tv-shows, computers, church affairs, volunteer activities…and instinctively become influenced by their parents’ interest…. [W]hen the parent stops and the child sees the parent completely involved and interested in what [they are] doing it sends the perfect message…. It says, “you and what you are doing are more important than anything else to me.” That is the most powerful message a parent can give…. When you are having a struggle with your child’s practice, look around to make sure you have put the brakes on the concerns of your life to completely look at your child’s. Sometimes that’s all you have to
do. That’s one message that matters to a child. It is full of power and will allow your child to cultivate himself. No need to push or hover, because that can send the wrong message. It can send a message of mistrust and attention, not on the child, but on your wishes. It is looking at your child through the fog of your own anxieties…. [T]ry putting your world on hold and paying some undivided attention to your child’s world. Your attention is full of influencing power - even when you don’t know it. Because your kids are paying attention to what you think is important. If you attend to them it will allow them to dream and give them the internal power to fulfill their dreams….” -Kevin Taylor,
© 2012 Used with Permission
here. If you'd like to know more about the Childbloom Guitar Program visit their website: http://childbloom.com/ or like them on Facebook.
“Some parents, due to the frustration of trying to control their child’s practice and failing, think they are powerless in the process and they give up. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate the power parents have when they do little things that demonstrate big things to their kids. Little things can validate the child’s interest for a long time. Children know what their parents are most interested in--be it work, study disciplines, hobbies, tv-shows, computers, church affairs, volunteer activities…and instinctively become influenced by their parents’ interest…. [W]hen the parent stops and the child sees the parent completely involved and interested in what [they are] doing it sends the perfect message…. It says, “you and what you are doing are more important than anything else to me.” That is the most powerful message a parent can give…. When you are having a struggle with your child’s practice, look around to make sure you have put the brakes on the concerns of your life to completely look at your child’s. Sometimes that’s all you have to
do. That’s one message that matters to a child. It is full of power and will allow your child to cultivate himself. No need to push or hover, because that can send the wrong message. It can send a message of mistrust and attention, not on the child, but on your wishes. It is looking at your child through the fog of your own anxieties…. [T]ry putting your world on hold and paying some undivided attention to your child’s world. Your attention is full of influencing power - even when you don’t know it. Because your kids are paying attention to what you think is important. If you attend to them it will allow them to dream and give them the internal power to fulfill their dreams….” -Kevin Taylor,
© 2012 Used with Permission
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