At-Home-Teacher FAQ
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What is an At-Home-Teacher?
One of the incredible benefits of learning through the Suzuki method is the emphasis on connecting and bonding with your child. Through the triangle of learning between the student, teacher, and parent/guardian, you (the “At-Home-Teacher”) are encouraged to be an active participant in your child’s education!
At Music House, we believe that this triangle of support creates the best environment for learning. While the teacher only sees your child once per week, the At-Home-Teacher gets to be with them every day. One of the most important roles of the At-Home-Teacher is to foster a nurturing musical environment at home.
Does the At-Home-Teacher have to be a parent?
No! The At-Home-Teacher is any adult who can consistently attend lessons and practice with the child. This can be a grandparent, a nanny, an older sibling, etc!
Does the At-Home-Teacher need to know how to play an instrument?
No! You can still be an effective practice partner and At-Home-Teacher without actually knowing how to play the instrument yourself.
You can support your child by:
Taking notes during lessons so you know what your child is working on and how to help them
Playing the Suzuki recordings for your child – this can be in the car, during dinner, at bedtime as background music! Read more about the importance of daily listenings here.
Being the practice leader: Practicing is not an innate skill – it takes many years with adult guidance before your child can practice on their own. In the early years, your child's lessons will serve as a model of what the practice session should look like at home. Ask your child’s teacher if you need more help in how to practice with your child!
Practice Session Feedback: Send us a 5 minute video of one of your practice sessions, and we will provide you feedback on how to make your sessions more effective and positive!
We also offer At-Home-Teacher Training Sessions, where you will learn the fundamentals of your child’s instrument (taught in the same way that your child is learning!), as well as how best to help your child at home!
Can I still be an At-Home-Teacher if my child is a teenager?
Yes! If you have an older practicing artist, your role as the At-Home-Teacher will look different, but it is still important!
As we get older, we often lose that fearless confidence we once had as children. Your older child may now be more frustrated with the mistakes they make when practicing, feel pressure or anxiety when performing, or start comparing themselves to others.
One of the best things you can do now as an At-Home-Teacher is be your child’s biggest cheerleader. Your support, encouragement, and genuine interest in their craft can help motivate them to keep going in those difficult years!
Rather than sitting in on lessons, you can make sure to ask your child what they’re working on after the lesson.
Rather than telling them when it’s time to practice, you can help them to organize their calendar so they can get their daily practice in on their own, and take ownership over their practicing schedule.
Rather than standing next to them as they practice, you can ask to hear an excerpt or mini performance at the end of their practice session (and applaud their efforts!).
Additional Reading for the At-Home-Teacher:
Nurtured By Love: Shin’ichi Suzuki
Ability Development from Age Zero: Shin’ichi Suzuki
Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families: Christine Goodner
