Children learn music very differently to adults. I have been teaching guitar and studying the art of teaching for close to 30 years. One of my strongest findings is the fact that children learn primarily by association. That is they associate some kind of meaning to learning music. If that association is positive they will most likely continue to pursue music their whole life. If it is negative they will probably give it away at the first opportunity. This means that its vitally important that we build positive associations to music early and yes I understand this is easier said than done.
Its not what you know…
Those closest to us have the strongest influence over our behaviour. Numerous studies have shown that everything from spending habits to obesity are heavily influenced by those around you. This is even more profound with children but children are easily influenced by their peers. Many parents decide to enrol their child for guitar lessons believing private lessons are better when in fact the opposite is true. When a child learns guitar alone they are less motivated especially if most of their friends don’t actually play guitar. This means the best thing you can do for your child in terms of learning guitar (or anything for that matter) is to put them in good company with other likeminded kids. In this case kids learning guitar and this means group learning.
The parent’s role
A parent’s challenge is to a build positive association to the experience of learning guitar. The good news is what matters most to children are their parents. Parents who work with their children especially in the first 6 to 12 months will generally have far greater success because this builds the positive association. Learning guitar equals happy times with Mum and/or Dad. The benefits of working with your child go beyond just the ability to play guitar. In most cases your relationship with your child will grow and strengthen as a result. Make sure your child practices daily but as much as possible keep the experience positive.
What to do if your child loses motivation
The most common reason children want to stop guitar is a loss of confidence. Perhaps the current challenges are too hard. When this happens just chat to their teacher and explain the situation. Don’t give up because in most cases with a few adjustments to their practice material they will soon be back on track.
Getting your child started on guitar
If you are interested in getting your child started on guitar please visit our website at; http://www.g4guitarmethod.com.
The G4 GUITAR METHOD
The G4 GUITAR METHOD is a structured method of learning guitar. Its a unique system built on 29 years of research and experience based on a proven strategies. To view a video and learn more please visit our website at http://www.g4guitarmethod.com.
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