Parent Education Minute - draft

Encouragement is Essential - 1

Today’s parent education minute is about encouragement. When a child takes the brave
steps of walking across the circle for their turn, or singing a solo on their own, it is essential
to give them some encouragement! They will remember your smiling face, big hug, and
positive words when the next opportunity comes around. Children need this motivation to
try new things, and they need to try new things in order to succeed at them! So I encourage
you to look for small accomplishments your child makes, and acknowledge them in a way
that inspires them to do it again and again.

Suzuki triangle

Today’s parent education minute is about the “Suzuki triangle.” The Suzuki triangle
represents three equal parts: parent, teacher, and child. The sides are equal because each
member is equally important in the process of learning. When the parent and teacher are
unified in purpose, the child will shine and succeed. When the parent and child are bonded
and have respect for each other, both can be happy and enjoy this process. And when the
teacher and child are working together, much can be accomplished. I encourage you to
always keep an open line of communication with me so we can all remain as informed as
possible about how to best serve your family in this wonderful journey you have just begun

Environment Nurtures Growth - 1

When parents, teachers and adults around the child are supportive and helpful, when they
reward the child with positive feedback for efforts they make and when they show
acceptance of the small successes that children have, the environment is nurturing and
helpful for growth. This means eye contact, a cheery expression, quiet observation, and
leaving space for the child to have some independence.

Environment Nurtures Growth – 1

Most of the time when we talk about environment, we mean the people here in class and
around the child. But today I wanted to talk about our physical environment as well.
Children learn best when they have uncluttered space, have a satisfied tummy, clean
diapers or empty bladders, and a bright atmosphere so they can take it all in. When we
prepare the environment for learning, we set up the child for success.

Parental Involvement is Critical

When parents are supportive and actively help children, their accurate feedback helps the
process of learning to focus and learning becomes thoroughly mastered. While some things
are learned by experience, such as avoiding a hot stove after touching it, much more of our
learning is through example and encouragement. They need you!

Ability Develops Early

Success in one task will lead to more success. The earlier a child learns the satisfaction that
comes with success, the earlier that child can move on to new skill development in that same
line of learning.

Children Learn from One Another

“Children who play with other children learn from them. All children use their senses for
learning and their senses will motivate them to imitate their peers (especially if it looks like
fun). They identify readily with children who are a little older and represent a "working"
model. They often look to children just a little younger to practice the social skills that they
have learned from older children.” Suzukiece.com

Success Breeds Success

This is one reason why we help the children with holding the mallets and striking the
instruments at the right time and place. Through these guided repetitions they are
experiencing first hand what a successful turn feels like. Then, after time to process, they will
be able to build on this skill.

Success in any task has some implicit rewards but when the environment provides some
social or physical rewards like approval or a hug, the child quickly learns to repeat the effort.

Encouragement is Essential - 2
The social reward of a supportive parent or adult (or other child) will speed the learning and
remove doubt about what constitutes success in a child's learning experience. Lack of
encouragement negates the fundamental reward of success in any learning experience. It is
possible for the physical environment to provide the reward necessary but if there is no
encouragement from any aspect, the learning is not complete. How will the child know if they
have been successful?

Finding the Small Successes

Every Child Can Learn