Plan and Celebrate Piano Success for Young Kids
My Piano Planner is your ultimate tool for enhancing beginner piano lessons, designed with both parents and teachers in mind. This thoughtfully crafted planner is a resource-packed companion to help ensure every child’s musical journey is celebrated and supported. With 32 pages - you have plenty of room to help your young student plan and grow!
A Summer Piano Camp for “Wild” Kids.
Let’s have an adventure with kids where music and nature come together! This 4-day Music & Nature Camp is designed to spark joy and curiosity in young learners through a blend of sensory exploration, music-making, and active listening activities.
Managing Children’s Feelings at Piano Lessons
I hate to admit this, but I used to make kids cry at piano lesson. Occasionally. Not every lesson, but it did happen. Over the years, I got better at managing my feelings, and theirs.
But the other day, I did it again.
Here's what happened: My student came in and happily played a Christmas song with absolutely NO rhythm. You know the drill. She just played one note after another, and then another, and then turned to me with a smile on her face.
I said something like: "Hey that's great - now let's count the rhythm!" So we counted and clapped. Then I asked her to play and - horror of horrors - COUNT OUT LOUD! She said it was too hard, I said it wasn't. I didn't notice that her lip started trembling.
A Fun, Interactive Rhythm Game for Piano Lessons
Yesterday, I worked with one of my beginner students who often struggles to hold her half notes for the full two beats. It's a common challenge with younger students, especially when they haven’t yet felt the rhythm in their bodies. For kids, understanding rhythm is much easier when they can experience it physically. That’s why I came up with a simple game that gets them moving, and it only requires a small amount of space and some washi tape.
Humans are not slot machines…
Humans are not slot machines…
Especially your beginner student humans. Slot machines are devices that you put coins in, and hope you hit the jackpot.
Tackling the No-Practice Dilemma: Practical Solutions for Piano Teachers
I know this topic hits close to home for many of you. The subject of zero practice is one that resonates deeply with teachers, and I’ve heard from quite a few of you sharing your thoughts and strategies.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Zero Practice
When a student walks into a lesson without having practiced, it can stir up a mix of emotions. A bit of frustration, maybe a touch of panic as you scramble for what to do next, and a steady resolve to keep calm and make the most of the time you have together.
In moments like these, I find myself mentally sifting through all the possible options, weighing each one against what I know about the student in front of me. What’s the best way to keep them engaged and learning, even without the expected practice?
Navigating the No-Practice Season: Why Shaming Isn’t the Answer
Let’s be real—modern life is chaotic. Gone are the days when parents could easily manage their kids' schedules, carving out that precious time for piano practice. Sure, some families still have it together, but for many, it’s a daily juggling act. And in that mix, practice time often gets squeezed out.
But here's the thing—before we point fingers, let’s consider the bigger picture.
The Realities of Modern Family Life
Kids today are often over-scheduled, but it’s not always due to poor planning or lack of prioritization. Life happens. Think about the avalanche of homework, last-minute sports schedule changes, or the complexities of dividing time between custodial parents. These
What you need to know - Kids have GAPS in piano learning
Gaps show up in piano lessons all the time.
Here are some examples of places gaps can arise: 1) notation. Notation is an abstract representation of sound. Kids are literal.
2) rhythm. Some kids just don't have rhythm experience in their bodies, which leads to difficulty in counting and playing.
3) technique. Playing the piano with proper technique is a foreign feeling.
4) listening. Some students have difficulty hearing and discriminating pitches, rhythms, timbre, or form