help! a 7 yr old who won't listen!

[Colette]

I'm teaching a 7 yr old boy beginning level piano, and he just will not settle down and listen no matter what i say or do. he hops around, changes the subject and talks talks talks. by the time the lesson is over i have no idea if he's learned anything, which really bothers me. how can i calm him down and motivate him to learn? he's a very bright kid and likes the piano but just can't concentrate...

[chopinetta]

well, every lesson you should play with him a bit. but tell him you play after you finish tackling something up. Make every lessonfun. Every time he learns a new note give him a prize.

[keynote88]

Hey, I also teach a young beginner (she's eight). First of all, let me begin by saying that I think a student should "connect" with his/her teacher. I think a "bond" needs to be developed. There needs to be freedom to communicate, joke around, and laugh (with each other - not at a student's mistakes). However, you are the teacher. You number 1 job is to teach, not necessarily be a good friend. And your student's job is to learn, and yes, take seriously, what you are saying or showing him. There is a time for fun, but there also is a time for seriousness and learning. You might also take into consideration his age. Most 7 year olds don't have a long attention span. Don't spend an incredible amount of time on any one thing. Break the lesson up. Use several books (Technic, Lesson, Recital, and Theory, for example). Also you might motivate him by having him put a sticker on a song once he passes it off. Or let him choose which song he would like to work on first. However, you might want to have a chat with him if he just goofs around a lot. You don't have to be mean about it, just tell him (calmly) what you expect of him. Say something like, "I really enjoy teaching you. You are a great kid. I'm glad that we can talk to each other about things. But right now we need to work on your piano. I want you to listen carefully to what I tell you because it is important. It will help you play better and you will enjoy your lessons more if you know how to play." Then go over whatever - technic, songs, theory. Make sure he has an assignment book, and write down what you want him to practice and how you want him to practice. Most kid's "practice", but how? You are the teacher...your job is to teach. Hope this helps you.

keynote88

[amp]

I think you should talk to the parents....is he this way with the rest of his teachers?  It is important to know that. If he is like that with all of his teachers, then you'll have to get creative and come up with ways to get his attention. If not, then maybe it is something you are doing that is feeding that behaviour. With kids if you are not constantly going they will lose attenion. If you stop and think for a second (that's all), you'll lose them.

One thing I do is take a step back with their pieces. Have him work on some smaller pieces that will be easy for him to learn so he feels like he is accomplishing something each week. At their level it is not benefical to have pieces they work on for a long time (they get bored with them).

Maybe you could do some marching or dancing to figure out the rhythms, that might help him calm down.

Kids can be hard to work with, but by the way you explain it your student sounds more severe. I would definatly talk to his parents.

[Andrew]

Just talk to his parents and convince them to pump him with ritalin.  

[julibug]

I have several young students ranging in age from 5 to 8.  My older students don't really have a problem paying attention, but these younger ones can be a challenge.  I try not to stay on one thing for too long, but I always come back to it before the end of the lesson.  If I hit on it a couple of times during the lesson, they seem to retain it better than if I try to stay on it for too long at a time.  I also try to make the lessons as fun as possible.  I let them put stickers on songs they have played well, and I also play along with them when possible, and show them variations of songs.  I hope this is helpful.