
PARENTS: It can be terrifying to sing or play instruments in front of your family, especially when you are just learning a new piece or technique. Your students will have to sing for our class, but I am sensitive to their desire to try to sing PRIVATELY.
Here’s how you can help:
- Ask your student whether they are concerned about being able to practice privately. It may not be an issue for all kids.
- If possible, help them find a place where they can sing without being heard by you or their siblings. Maybe inside a car? Outside at a forest preserve? All MusicFirst activities can be done on any device, so phones, tablets, are all fair game if that helps with portability.
- If you do hear them, please resist the urge to say ANYTHING about what you heard. Even encouraging comments often lead students, especially high school students, to clam up. Please leave the feedback to me unless they ask you for it. If they do ask, a comment like "I love it when you make music" can keep from putting stress on them, rather than a specific criticism or compliment.
- If a private space isn’t possible, maybe they can find a private time. Check in with them to see if there are activities that they need to complete without anyone around. Most of our activities will be done over the course of two weeks, so you can probably find a time in those two weeks when they can sing comfortably.