Parental Pressure

[meli]

Hi everyone! How to tell parents when their kid just isn't ready for exams! Some of my students, don't practice consistently and slow learners etc.. For example, I have a transfer student who is about post grade 1 level. I started her with Faber Lvl 3A for quick review, and supplement with other pieces, and gave her exercises from Czerny, and Quick Studies from easy beginner books. Her practice hasn't been consistent, there are a few weeks with no practice, and others with 3-4 days. She also forgot her theory book for 2 weeks now! Her mother is a nice person, but she keeps asking me whether she can reach grade 3 by next year! I am worried as I feel she is not confident in her playing yet. What strategies do you teachers have to er.. protect yourself in case a parent blames you for 'poor teaching' when their kid hasn't reached a certain grade? I am fairly new teacher, and where I come from, parents think success in music is reaching grade 8 as FAST as possible.

[go12_3]

I'm a piano teacher , but I don't ever pressure my students to be at a certain level.
It is up to the student on how they want to progress and the parents should be
supportive but no pressure because that will indeed make the student want to quit
piano.  It doesn't matter what *level* a child has to be in and you as a teacher need
to have a talk with the parents of your student and make sure their daughter's progression
isn't about being in level 8.  What are your student's feelings about her progression and love of playing piano?   I don't know how old your student is, so I cannot truly give you more specific advise about your situation.  I have students that are in Faber Level 3A and they have begun lessons with me over a year and a half ago ; they are twins, age 11.  But the parents do not pressure me to teach them a certain way, I am the one who determines what they should learn.

Being a piano teacher is a business and if the parents don't comply with your rules and expectations, then you will have problems with parents beind demanding on how and what you teach your students. Don't overload your student with too much stuff to work on, so that she can and want to practice. Or she won't progress as well. 

best wishes,

go12_3

[dan101]

Reasoning with parents is always your best bet. I often mention that too much pressure often has the effect of making a child want to quit. Also, the 'memory' of childhood piano lessons has a huge impact on whether a child will be playing the piano as an adult.

Good luck.