Methods for Motivating Students
The topic of motivations has been widely discussed. When motivated, employees in private sectors may be more devoted to their work and, therefore, their work productivity increases. It creates a win-win situation to both the employers and the employees. The same notion can apply to our studios. When the pupils are motivated, they may want to put more time to practice, with the result that the progress is evident, and the piano lessons become fun and enjoying. What motivational methods do you use on your students? I usually use stickers and tangible rewards for students under 10 years old. This is similar to the point system that elementary teachers use in school. Its effectiveness always amazes me. My rule is that five stickers exchange one reward. The main role of the stickers is to establish standards and requirements. As the student progresses, getting a sticker becomes tougher. If this system is used effectively, students get to build a good practice habit and the awareness of good standards.
Many teachers may argue whether the sticker system can develop students’ “love” and “passion” for music. Would the student still practice as much when the reward system is not in place? Can the effect of a tangible reward turn into an intrinsic value eventually? The topic of motivations along with many other interesting ones will be talked about in our February branch meeting on Wednesday, February 15th. This particular meeting will be set up as a discussion forum. Send your questions regarding teaching, techniques and performance to Heidi Lee Kim at heidipiano@hotmail.com.
Although not being able to attend the January branch meeting, I heard how innovative and creative Prof. Song’s methods are. Stickers are teachers’ best friends. Prof. Song’s creative stickers include turtles, leaping frogs, ears, and many more. They all have meanings and can intuitively connect to what to do. How clever!
Composers Today “did it again” on Saturday, January 21st at Pianoforte Music Studio to showcase the compositions composed by nineteen creative and talented students aged from 7 to 17. The participating studios were Hsun Mei Chow, Heidi Lee Kim, and Ana Contreras. We hope that all of the students will either enter the Composers Today contest at the State level or the Symposium Concert.
The deadlines for the Bach/Baroque Festivals and Scholarship Competition are approaching. Please see the announcements on pages 4-5.
The branch’s first year of JUNIOR ENSEMBLE MUSIC FESTIVAL will be kicked off on this Sunday, February 5th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Pianoforte Studio. Many thanks are to teachers and students who are participating.
The February branch meeting will be held at Keyboard Concepts on Wednesday, February 15th at 9:30 AM. This meeting will be set up as a discussion forum and to be divided into three or four sections. Each section presents a specific topic that is related to teaching. We’d like to receive your questions the meeting so that we can do a better planning. Detailed information of the meeting will be emailed to you in next few days.
There is no doubt that most of our members are working diligently in preparing the students for the biggest event of the year – CM. Wish both the students and teachers good luck!
Rebecca Wu, President
“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”
- Plato